Microbial Fermentation Methods and Compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods for the cultivation of the  Methylobacterium  genus of bacteria. In particular the method provides methods for the efficient and inexpensive cultivation of these bacteria. Additionally, the invention provides methods for the utilization of these bacterial cultures to improve plant agriculture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This US non-provisional patent application is a divisional of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/566,108, filed Sep. 10, 2019, which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/805,843, filed Nov. 7,2017, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/876,431, filed Oct. 6, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/907,161, filed May 31, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.9,181,541, issued Nov. 10, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference inits entirety; which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No.61/784,375, filed Mar. 14, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference inits entirety; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/654,504, filed Jun. 1, 2012and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and U.S. PatentApplication No. 61/654,394, filed Jun. 1, 2012 and incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

One-carbon organic compounds such as methane and methanol are foundextensively in nature, and are utilized as carbon sources by bacteriaclassified as methanotrophs and methylotrophs. Methanotrophic bacteriainclude species in the genera Methylobacter, Methylomonas,Methylomicrobium, Methylococcus, Methylosinus, Methylocystis,Methylosphaera, Methylocaldum, and Methylocella (Lidstrom, 2006).Methanotrophs possess the enzyme methane monooxygenase, thatincorporates an atom of oxygen from 02 into methane, forming methanol.All methanotrophs are obligate one-carbon utilizers, unable to usecompounds containing carbon-carbon bonds. Methylotrophs, on the otherhand, can also utilize more complex organic compounds, such as organicacids, higher alcohols, sugars, and the like. Thus, methylotrophicbacteria are facultative methylotrophs. Methylotrophic bacteria includespecies in the genera Methylobacterium, Hyphomicrobium, Methylophilus,Methylobacillus, Methylophaga, Aminobacter, Methylorhabdus, Methylopila,Methylosulfonomonas, Marinosulfonomonas, Paracoccus, Xanthobacter,Ancylobacter (also known as Microcyclus), Thiobacillus,Rhodopseudomonas, Rhodobacter, Acetobacter, Bacillus, Mycobacterium,Arthobacter, and Nocardia (Lidstrom, 2006).

Most methylotrophic bacteria of the genus Methylobacterium arepink-pigmented. They are conventionally referred to as PPFM bacteria,being pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs. Green (2005, 2006)identified twelve validated species in the genus Methylobacterium,specifically M. aminovorans, M. chloromethanicum, M. dichloromethanicum,M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. organophilum, M.radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M. rhodinum, M. thiocyanatum, and M.zatmanii. However, M. nidulans is a nitrogen-fixing Methylobacteriumthat is not a PPFM (Sy et al., 2001). Methylobacterium are ubiquitous innature, being found in soil, dust, fresh water, sediments, and leafsurfaces, as well as in industrial and clinical environments (Green,2006).

The existence of PPFM bacteria as colonizers of the leaf surfaces ofmost (if not all) species of plants (ranging from algae, mosses andliverworts, and angiosperms and gymnosperms) suggests that PPFM bacteriamay play an important role in plant physiology (Corpe and Rheem, 1989;Holland and Polacco, 1994; Holland, 1997; Kutschera, 2007). The factthat plants produce and excrete methanol, probably as a waste product ofpectin metabolism in growing plant cell walls, suggested to theseresearchers that a symbiotic relationship exists, with the PPFM bacteriafeeding on the plant-produced methanol and in turn providing positivebenefits to the plants. The suggested benefits of PPFM bacteria on plantphysiology include positive effects on nitrogen metabolism, seedgermination, and stimulation of plant growth through the provision ofPPFM-generated cytokinin plant hormones. The use of PPFM bacteria toimprove plant growth, plant yield, seed germination, male fertility, andplant nutritional qualities has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,512,069, 5,961,687, 6,174,837, 6,329,320, 7,435,878, and US PatentApplication Pub. No. 2006/0228797. In addition, PPFM bacteria have beenfound to increase the yield of cultivated algae, suggesting theirapplication to the production of algae-derived biofuels (US PatentApplication Pub. No. 2011/0269219).

SUMMARY

Provided herein are methods for efficient production of large quantitiesof Methylobacterium. These methods can result in high titerMethylobacterium cultures where production time per batch issignificantly reduced. The methods of Methylobacterium productionprovided herein can also use culture medium comprised of inexpensive andreadily available components. Also provide herein are usefulfermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products,and compositions comprising Methylobacterium. Methods of using thefermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products,and compositions comprising Methylobacterium to treat plants or plantparts are also provided herein. The methods and compositions providedherein can be used to produce large quantities of Methylobacterium forapplication to plants or plant parts, for use as an inoculum inbioremediation, for production of useful products, and for production ofrecombinant proteins. Useful products obtainable by the methods andcompositions provided herein include, but are not limited to,poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid, 1,3-propanediol, andoxazopyrroloquinolines.

Provided herein are fermentation broths comprising a liquid phase and asolid phase that can be suspended therein, wherein the solid phasecomprises a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture ofMethylobacterium is adhered thereto and wherein the fermentation brothis essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certainembodiments, the broth can further comprise one or more microorganismsof pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certainembodiments, the solid phase comprises at least about 0.02% to about0.5% of the broth by mass. In certain embodiments, the solid substanceis of animal, plant, microbial, fungal, or mineral origin. In certainembodiments, the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptableadjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments,the solid substance is a polymer. In certain embodiments, the solidsubstance comprises a polysaccharide, diatomaceous earth, or a saltcrystal. In certain embodiments, the polysaccharide is selected from thegroup consisting of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinouspolysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide. In certain embodiments,the Methylobacterium are at a titer of at least about 5×10⁸colony-forming units per milliliter, at least about 1×10⁹ colony-formingunits per milliliter, at least about 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units permilliliter, or at least about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units permilliliter. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium are at a titerof at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter to at leastabout 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certainembodiments, at least one of the Methylobacterium is a Pink PigmentedFacultative Methylotroph (PPFM). In certain embodiments, the PinkPigmented Facultative Methylotroph (PPFM) is selected from the groupconsisting of M. aminovorans, M. chloromethanicum, M.dichloromethanicum, M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M.organophilum, M. radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M. rhodinum, M.thiocyanatum, M. cerastii, M. gossipiicola, Methylobacterium sp. strainLMG6378, M. phyllosphaerae, M. oryzae, M. platani, M. populi, and M.zatmanii. In certain embodiments, at least one of the Methylobacteriumis M. nodulans. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementionedbroths, at least 10% of the Methylobacterium in the fermentation brothare Methylobacterium that are adhered to the solid substance. In certainembodiments of any of the aforementioned broths, the solid is not aphotosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are fermentation broth products or fermentation productscomprising a solid phase that can be suspended in liquid, wherein thesolid phase comprises a solid substance wherein a mono-culture orco-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto, and wherein thefermentation broth product or fermentation product is essentially freeof contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, thefermentation broth product or fermentation product further comprises oneor more microorganisms of pre-determined identity other thanMethylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprisesa plurality of suspensible particles with adherent Methylobacterium. Incertain embodiments, the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptableadjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments,the Methylobacterium titer of the solid phase is at least about 5×10⁸colony-forming units per gram to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-formingunits of Methylobacterium per gram of solid. In certain embodiments ofany of the aforementioned fermentation broth products or fermentationproducts, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are compositions comprising a plurality of particles thatcan be suspended in a liquid, wherein each of the particles comprise asolid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacteriumis adhered thereto and wherein the solid substance is essentially freeof contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the compositionfurther comprises one or more microorganisms of pre-determined identityother than Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substancecomprises an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturallyacceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the composition furthercomprises at least one of an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant, anagriculturally acceptable excipient, and/or a pesticide. In certainembodiments, the composition is an essentially dry product, an emulsion,or a suspension. In certain embodiments, each of the particles is aparticle of about 2 microns to about 1000 microns in average length oraverage diameter. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium titer ofthe particles is at least about 5×10 colony-forming units per gram to atleast about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram ofparticles. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementionedcompositions, the density of adherent Methylobacterium on the particlesis at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers of particlesurface area. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementionedcompositions, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are methods for culturing Methylobacterium comprisinggrowing a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium in media thatcomprises a liquid phase and a solid phase that can be suspendedtherein, wherein the solid phase comprises a solid substance thatprovides for growth of the Methylobacterium and wherein the media isessentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certainembodiments, the media further comprises one or more microorganisms ofpre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certainembodiments, the solid phase comprises at least about 0.02% to about0.5% of the media by mass. In certain embodiments, the solid substanceis an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptableexcipient. In certain embodiments, the solid substance provides foradherent growth of the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, thesolid substance is a polymer or is of animal, plant, microbial, fungal,or mineral origin. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprisesa polysaccharide, diatomaceous earth, or a salt crystal. In certainembodiments, the polysaccharide is selected from the group of acellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactanpolysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the growing comprises the stepsof inoculating the media with the Methylobacterium and incubating theinoculated media under conditions sufficient to provide for growth ofthe Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium areinoculated into the media at a titer of at least about 5×10⁴colony-forming units per milliliter or at least about 1×10⁵colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacterium is selected from the group consisting of M.aminovorans, M. chloromethanicum, M. dichloromethanicum, M. extorquens,M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. organophilum, M. radiotolerans, M.rhodesianum, M rhodinum, M. thiocyanatum, M. nodulans, M. cerastii, M.gossipiicola, Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378, M. phyllosphaerae, M.oryzae, M. platani, M. populi, and M. zatmanii. In certain embodiments,at least 10% of the viable Methylobacterium in the fermentation brothare adherent Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, a titer of atleast about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter to about 6×10¹⁰colony-forming units per milliliter is attained. In certain embodiments,the titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter toabout 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter is attained withinabout 48 hours, about 72 hours, or about 96 hours of inoculating themedia with Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments of any of theaforementioned methods, the method further comprises the step ofharvesting the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments of any of theaforementioned methods, the solid substance is not a photosyntheticmicroorganism. Also provided are Methylobacterium mono-cultures orco-cultures obtained by any of the aforementioned methods. In certainembodiments, the mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium isessentially free of contaminating microorganisms. Also provided areMethylobacterium culture products obtained from the Methylobacteriummonoculture or co-culture obtained by the methods, wherein theMethylobacterium culture product comprises a plurality of particles thatcan be suspended in a liquid and the particles comprise a solidsubstance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium isadhered thereto. Also provided are compositions comprising theMethylobacterium culture product, fermentation broth product, orfermentation product. In certain embodiments, the culture product,fermentation broth product, or fermentation product comprises amono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium that is essentially freeof contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the compositionfurther comprises an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant, anagriculturally acceptable excipient, and/or a pesticide. Also providedherein are methods for treating a plant or a plant part withMethylobacterium comprising the step of applying to the plant or plantpart a Methylobacterium mono-cultures or co-culture, fermentation brothproduct, fermentation product, or composition obtained by any of theaforementioned methods. In certain embodiments of any of theaforementioned Methylobacterium mono-cultures or co-cultures,fermentation broth products, fermentation products, or compositions, thesolid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are methods for treating a plant or a plant part withMethylobacterium comprising the step of applying to the plant or plantpart a composition comprising a solid substance wherein a mono-cultureor co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certainembodiments, the mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium isessentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certainembodiments, the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptableadjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certainembodiments, the composition is an essentially dry product, an emulsion,or a suspension. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises aplurality of suspensible particles. In certain embodiments, each of thesuspensible particles is a particle of about 2 microns to about 1000microns in length or diameter. In certain embodiments, the plant part isa seed and the composition has a Methylobacterium titer of at leastabout 5×10′ colony-forming units per gram to about 6×10¹⁰ colony-formingunits per gram of the composition. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacterium titer of the composition is at least about 5×10′colony-forming units per gram to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-formingunits of Methylobacterium per gram of the composition. In certainembodiments, the plant part is a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, acoleoptile, or a leaf. In certain embodiments, the plant is a corn,Brassica sp., alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, pearl millet, proso millet,foxtail millet, finger millet, sunflower, safflower, soybean, tobacco,potato, peanuts, cotton, sweet potato, cassava, coffee, coconut,pineapple, citrus trees, cocoa, tea, banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango,olive, papaya, cashew, macadamia, almond, sugar beet, sugarcane, oat,barley, tomato, lettuce, green bean, lima bean, pea, cucurbit,ornamental, or conifer plant. In certain embodiments, the plant is acereal plant and the part is a seed, a coleoptile, and/or a leaf. Incertain embodiments, the plant is a cereal plant, the part is a seed,and the composition is applied in an amount sufficient to provide for anincrease in nodal root growth in a cereal plant grown from the treatedseed. In certain embodiments, the plant is a cereal plant, the part is acoleoptile, and/or a leaf, and the composition is applied in an amountsufficient to provide for an increase in nodal root growth in a cerealplant comprising the treated coleoptile and/or a leaf. In certainembodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the cereal plant isselected from the group consisting of corn, barley, millet, oat, rice,rye, sorghum, Triticale, and wheat. In certain embodiments, the plant isa corn plant and the part is a seed, a coleoptile, and/or a leaf. Incertain embodiments, the plant is a corn plant, the part is a seed, andthe composition is applied in an amount sufficient to provide for anincrease in corn nodal root growth in a corn plant grown from thetreated seed. In certain embodiments, the plant is a corn plant, thepart is a coleoptile, and/or a leaf, and the composition is applied inan amount sufficient to provide for an increase in corn nodal rootgrowth in a corn plant comprising the treated coleoptile and/or a leaf.In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the solidsubstance is not a photosynthetic microorganism. Also provided areplants or plant parts obtained by any of the aforementioned methods,wherein the plant or plant part is at least partially coated with anexogenously applied solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-cultureof Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, theplant part is a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, or aleaf. Also provided are processed plant products obtained from any ofthe aforementioned plants or plant parts, wherein the processed productcontains an exogenous solid substance wherein a mono-culture orco-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certainembodiments, the plant product is a meal, paste, flour, flake, or feed.In certain embodiments, any of the aforementioned processed products isnon-regenerable. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementionedplants, plant parts, or processed products, the solid substance is not aphotosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are methods for producing an industrial product comprisinggrowing a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium in media thatcomprises a liquid phase and a solid phase that can be suspendedtherein, wherein the solid phase comprises a solid substance thatprovides for growth of the Methylobacterium and wherein the media isessentially free of contaminating microorganisms, and harvesting theindustrial product from the solid phase, the liquid phase, or thecombination thereof after growing the Methylobacterium. In certainembodiments, the solid substance provides for adherent growth of theMethylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the industrial product is apolymeric precursor, a biopolymer, a precursor of a medicinal compound,a medicinal compound, or a recombinant protein. In certain embodimentsof any of the aforementioned methods, the industrial product ispoly-3-hydroxy butyric acid, 1,3-propanediol, a pyrroloquinolinequinone,or an oxazopyrroloquinoline. In certain embodiments of any of theaforementioned methods, the solid substance is not a photosyntheticmicroorganism.

Also provided herein are methods for obtaining a Methylobacteriumpreparation comprising growing a mono-culture or co-culture ofMethylobacterium in media that comprises a liquid phase and a solidphase, wherein the solid phase provides for increased yield of theMethylobacterium relative to yield obtained by growing theMethylobacterium in liquid media alone. In certain embodiments, themethods further comprise harvesting Methylobacterium grown in the media.In certain embodiments, at least substantially all of the solid phase issuspended in the liquid phase, or at least substantially all of thesolid phase is not suspended in the liquid phase, or portions of thesolid phase are suspended in the liquid phase and portions of the solidphase are not suspended in the liquid phase. In certain embodiments, themedia further comprises one or more non-photosynthetic microorganisms ofpre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certainembodiments, the solid phase comprises at least about 0.02% to about 20%of the media by mass. In certain embodiments, the solid phase is anagriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptableexcipient. In certain embodiments, the solid phase provides for adherentgrowth of the Methylobacterium and/or the solid phase does not serve asa carbon source for the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, thesolid phase comprises a solid substance selected from the groupconsisting of a man-made material, a material of animal origin, amaterial of plant origin, a material of microbial origin, a material offungal origin, a material of mineral origin, and combinations thereof.In certain embodiments, the solid substance is inanimate. In certainembodiments, the solid phase comprises a solid substance selected fromthe group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a saltcrystal, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solidphase comprises a polysaccharide is selected from the group of acellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactanpolysaccharide. In certain embodiments, growing the mono-culture orco-culture of Methylobacterium comprises the steps of inoculating themedia with the Methylobacterium and incubating the inoculated mediaunder conditions sufficient to provide for growth of theMethylobacterium. In certain embodiments, either: (i) the solid phasecomprises at least about 0.02% to about 0.5% of the media andsubstantially all of the solid phase is suspended in the liquid phase;or (ii) the solid phase comprises at least about 0.02% to about 20% ofthe media and: (a) substantially all of the solid phase is not suspendedin the liquid phase; or (b) portions of the solid phase are suspended inthe liquid phase and portions of the solid phase are not suspended inthe liquid phase. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium isselected from the group consisting of M. aminovorans, M.chloromethanicum, M. dichloromethanicum, M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense,M. mesophilicum, M. organophilum, M radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M.rhodinum, M. thiocyanatum, M. nodulans, M. cerastii, M. gossipiicola,Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378, M. phyllosphaerae, M. oryzae, M.platani, M. populi, and M. zatmanii. In certain embodiments, at least10% of the viable Methylobacterium in the fermentation broth areMethylobacterium that are adhered to the solid phase. In certainembodiments, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism,and/or the media is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. Incertain embodiments, the harvesting comprises recovering all or aportion of the solid phase with Methylobacterium adhered thereto and/orrecovering all or a portion of non-adherent Methylobacterium from theliquid phase. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprisedisassociating some or all of the solid phase with Methylobacteriumadhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprisedrying the disassociated or partially disassociated material. In certainembodiments, the methods further comprise: i) drying the solid phasewith Methylobacterium adhered thereto that had been separated from theliquid phase; or, ii) drying the solid phase with Methylobacteriumadhered thereto and non-adherent Methylobacterium that were recoveredfrom the liquid phase. In certain embodiments, the methods furthercomprise disassociating some or all of either: i) the dried solid phasewith Methylobacterium adhered thereto; or, ii) the dried solid phasewith Methylobacterium adhered thereto and non-adherent Methylobacterium.

Also provided are Methylobacterium preparations obtained by any of theaforementioned methods, wherein the Methylobacterium preparationcomprises the solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture ofMethylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the solidsubstance in the preparation is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are methods for treating a plant or a plant part withMethylobacterium that comprise the step of applying to the plant orplant part a composition comprising the Methylobacterium preparationmade by any of the aforementioned methods. In certain embodiments of themethods, the composition further comprises an agriculturally acceptableadjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certainembodiments of the methods, the composition is an essentially dryproduct, an emulsion, or a suspension. In certain embodiments of themethods, the plant part is a seed and the composition has aMethylobacterium titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units pergram of the composition to about 6×10¹⁰, 3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or5×10¹³ colony-forming units per gram of the composition. In certainembodiments of the methods, the plant part is a seed, stem, root,flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, a fruit, or a leaf. In certainembodiments of the methods, the plant or plant part is a corn, Brassicasp., alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, pearl millet, proso millet, foxtailmillet, finger millet, sunflower, safflower, soybean, tobacco, potato,peanuts, cotton, sweet potato, cassava, coffee, coconut, pineapple,citrus trees, cocoa, tea, banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango, olive,papaya, cashew, macadamia, almond, sugar beet, sugarcane, oat, barley,tomato, lettuce, green bean, lima bean, pea, cucurbit, ornamental, orconifer plant part.

Also provided are plants or plant parts obtained by any of theaforementioned methods, wherein the plant or plant part is at leastpartially coated with an exogenous solid substance wherein amono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto.Processed plant products obtained from the plants or plant partsobtained by any of the aforementioned methods, wherein the processedproduct contains an exogenous solid substance wherein a mono-culture orco-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto are also provided. Incertain embodiments, the processed plant product is a meal, paste,flour, flake, or feed. In certain embodiments, the processed plantproduct is non-regenerable.

Also provided are methods for obtaining a Methylobacterium preparationcomprising: (i) growing a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacteriumin either: (a) a culture vessel that comprises or contains one or moresolid surfaces that provide for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium;or, (b) media that comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, whereinthe solid phase provides for increased yield of the Methylobacteriumrelative to yield obtained by growing the Methylobacterium in liquidmedia alone; and, (ii) harvesting Methylobacterium adhered to the solidsurface or the solid phase. In certain embodiments of the methods,harvesting comprises removal of the Methylobacterium from the solidsurface or the solid phase by of exposing the Methylobacterium to one ormore of a physical and/or a chemical treatment.

In certain embodiments of the methods, the chemical treatment comprisesone or more of an ionic strength shift, a pH shift, a detergenttreatment, a solvent treatment, and/or an enzymatic treatment. Incertain embodiments of the methods, the enzymatic treatment comprisesexposing Methylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or to the solidphase to a protease, a lipase, a glucanase, or any combination thereof.In certain embodiments of the methods, the detergent treatment comprisesexposing Methylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or the solidphase to an ionic detergent, a non-ionic detergent, or any combinationthereof. In certain embodiments of the methods, the physical treatmentcomprises exposing Methylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or tothe solid phase to sonication, scraping, a pressurized liquid, apressurized slurry, heat, or any combination thereof. In certainembodiments of the methods: (i) at least substantially all of the solidphase is suspended in the liquid phase; or (ii) at least substantiallyall of the solid phase is not suspended in the liquid phase; or (iii)portions of the solid phase are suspended in the liquid phase andportions of the solid phase are not suspended in the liquid phase. Incertain embodiments of the methods, the solid phase provides foradherent growth of the Methylobacterium and/or the solid phase does notserve as a carbon source for the Methylobacterium. In certainembodiments of the methods, the solid phase comprises a solid substanceselected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material ofanimal origin, a material of plant origin, a material of microbialorigin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, andcombinations thereof. In certain embodiments of the methods, the solidsubstance is inanimate. In certain embodiments of the methods, the solidphase comprises a solid substance selected from the group consisting ofa polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinationsthereof. In certain embodiments of the methods, the polysaccharide isselected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinouspolysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide. In certain embodiments ofany of the aforementioned method, the methods can further comprise thestep of drying the harvested Methylobacterium.

Also provided herein are fermentation products comprising a solidsubstance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium isadhered thereto, wherein the solid substance is not a photosyntheticmicroorganism, and wherein the fermentation product is essentially freeof contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, thefermentation product further comprises one or more microorganisms ofpre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certainembodiments, the solid substance comprises one or more of: (i) aplurality of suspensible particles with adherent Methylobacterium; (ii)a solid substance that cannot be suspended in fermentation broth; or(iii) a solid substance wherein a portion of the substance can besuspended in fermentation broth and a portion of the substance cannot besuspended in fermentation broth. In certain embodiments, the solidsubstance is inanimate. In certain embodiments, the solid substance isselected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material ofanimal origin, a material of plant origin, a material of microbialorigin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, andcombinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance isselected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceousearth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments,the polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosicpolysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactanpolysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is anagriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptableexcipient. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementionedfermentation products, the Methylobacterium titer of the solid phase isat least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram of solid to at leastabout 6×10¹⁰, 3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units ofMethylobacterium per gram of solid. In certain embodiments of any of theaforementioned fermentation products, the density of adherentMethylobacterium on the solid substance is at least about 1Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers of particle surface area.

Also provided are compositions that comprise a fermentation productcomprising a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture ofMethylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, thecomposition further comprises at least one of an agriculturallyacceptable adjuvant and/or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. Incertain embodiments, the solid substance comprises a plurality ofparticles with Methylobacterium adhered thereto. In certain embodiments,the particles comprise particles of about 2 microns to about 1000microns in average length or average diameter. In certain embodiments,the Methylobacterium titer of the particles is at least about 5×10⁸colony-forming units per gram of particles to at least about 6×10¹⁰,3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units ofMethylobacterium per gram of particles. In certain embodiments, thesolid substance is inanimate. In certain embodiments, the solidsubstance is selected from the group consisting of a man-made material,a material of animal origin, a material of plant origin, a material ofmicrobial origin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineralorigin, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solidsubstance is selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, adiatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof. In certainembodiments, the polysaccharide is selected from the group of acellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactanpolysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the solid substance isessentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certainembodiments, the composition is essentially free of contaminatingmicroorganisms. In certain embodiments, the composition and/or the solidsubstance can further comprise one or more microorganisms ofpre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certainembodiments, the solid substance comprises an agriculturally acceptableadjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certainembodiments, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism.In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises at least onepesticide and/or at least one bacteriostatic agent. In certainembodiments, the pesticide is selected from the group consisting of aninsecticide, a fungicide, a nematocide, and a bacteriocide, wherein thepesticide does not substantially inhibit growth of the Methylobacterium.In certain embodiments, the composition is an essentially dry product,an emulsion, or a suspension. In certain embodiments, the density ofadherent Methylobacterium on the solid substance is at least about 1Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers of particle surface area.

Also provided herein are methods for treating a plant or a plant partwith Methylobacterium comprising the step of applying to the plant orplant part any of the aforementioned compositions. In certainembodiments, the plant part is a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, acoleoptile, fruit, or a leaf. In certain embodiments, the plant or plantpart is a corn, Brassica sp., alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, pearl millet,proso millet, foxtail millet, finger millet, sunflower, safflower,soybean, tobacco, potato, peanuts, cotton, sweet potato, cassava,coffee, coconut, pineapple, citrus trees, cocoa, tea, banana, avocado,fig, guava, mango, olive, papaya, cashew, macadamia, almond, sugar beet,sugarcane, oat, barley, tomato, lettuce, green bean, lima bean, pea,cucurbit, ornamental, or conifer plant or plant part. Also provided areplants obtained by any of the aforementioned methods, wherein the plantis at least partially coated with the fermentation product of thecomposition. In certain embodiments, the plant is a corn plant, the partis a seed, and the composition is applied in an amount sufficient toprovide for an increase in corn nodal root growth in a corn plant grownfrom the treated seed. In certain embodiments, the plant is a cornplant, the part is a coleoptile, and/or a leaf, and said composition isapplied in an amount sufficient to provide for an increase in corn nodalroot growth in a corn plant comprising the treated coleoptile and/orleaf. Also provided are plant parts obtained by any of theaforementioned methods, wherein the plant part is at least partiallycoated with the fermentation product of the composition. In certainembodiments, the plant part is a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, acoleoptile, fruit, or a leaf.

Also provided are plants that are at least partially coated with afermentation product comprising a solid substance wherein a mono-cultureor co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certainembodiments, the plant is selected from the group consisting of a corn,Brassica sp., alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, pearl millet, proso millet,foxtail millet, finger millet, sunflower, safflower, soybean, tobacco,potato, peanuts, cotton, sweet potato, cassava, coffee, coconut,pineapple, citrus trees, cocoa, tea, banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango,olive, papaya, cashew, macadamia, almond, sugar beet, sugarcane, oat,barley, tomato, lettuce, green bean, lima bean, pea, cucurbit,ornamental, and conifer plant. In certain embodiments, the solidsubstance comprises a plurality of particles with adherentMethylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the particles are about 2microns to about 1000 microns in average length or average diameter. Incertain embodiments, the Methylobacterium titer of the particles is atleast about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram of particles to at leastabout 6×10¹⁰, 3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units ofMethylobacterium per gram of particles. In certain embodiments, thedensity of adherent Methylobacterium on the solid substance is at leastabout 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers of particle surface area.In certain embodiments, the solid substance is inanimate. In certainembodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consistingof a man-made material, a material of animal origin, a material of plantorigin, a material of microbial origin, a material of fungal origin, amaterial of mineral origin, and combinations thereof. In certainembodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consistingof a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, andcombinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the polysaccharide isselected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinouspolysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide. In certain embodiments,the solid substance is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms.In certain embodiments, the solid substance further comprises one ormore microorganisms of pre-determined identity other thanMethylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprisesan agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptableexcipient. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is not aphotosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are plant parts that are at least partially coated with acomposition that comprises a fermentation product comprising a solidsubstance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium isadhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the plant part is selected fromthe group consisting of a corn, Brassica sp., alfalfa, rice, rye,sorghum, pearl millet, proso millet, foxtail millet, finger millet,sunflower, safflower, soybean, tobacco, potato, peanuts, cotton, sweetpotato, cassava, coffee, coconut, pineapple, citrus trees, cocoa, tea,banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango, olive, papaya, cashew, macadamia,almond, sugar beet, sugarcane, oat, barley, tomato, lettuce, green bean,lima bean, pea, cucurbit, ornamental, and conifer plant part. In certainembodiments, the solid substance comprises a plurality of particles withadherent Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the particlescomprise particles of about 2 microns to about 1000 microns in averagelength or average diameter. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacteriumtiter of the particles is at least about 5×10′ colony-forming units pergram of particles to at least about 6×10¹⁰, 3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of particles.In certain embodiments, the density of adherent Methylobacterium on thesolid substance is at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 squaremicrometers of particle surface area. In certain embodiments, the solidsubstance is inanimate. In certain embodiments, the solid substance isselected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material ofanimal origin, a material of plant part origin, a material of microbialorigin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, andcombinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance isselected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceousearth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments,the polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosicpolysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactanpolysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the solid substance isessentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certainembodiments, the solid substance further comprises one or moremicroorganisms of pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium.In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises an agriculturallyacceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. Incertain embodiments, the solid substance is not a photosyntheticmicroorganism. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprisesat least one pesticide. In certain embodiments, the pesticide isselected from the group consisting of an insecticide, a fungicide, anematocide, and a bacteriocide, wherein the pesticide does not inhibitthe Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments of any of theaforementioned embodiments, the plant part is a seed.

Also provided are processed plant products obtained from any of theaforementioned plants or plant parts, wherein the processed productcontains a detectable amount of an exogenous solid substance wherein amono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. Incertain embodiments, the processed product is a meal, paste, flour,flake, or feed. In certain embodiments, the processed product isnon-regenerable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthe specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the presentinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a photomicrograph of an aliquot of a fermentation productcomprising liquid media, a solid (diatom shells), and Methylobacterium.The solid diatom shell and adherent Methylobacterium are indicated bythe labels in the photomicrograph. The Methylobacterium strain isDSM-6343 Methylobacterium extorquens.

FIG. 2 is a photomicrograph of an aliquot of a fermentation productcomprising liquid media, a solid (diatom shells), and Methylobacterium.The solid diatom shell, adherent Methylobacterium, and non-adherentMethylobacterium are indicated by the labels in the photomicrograph. TheMethylobacterium strain is DSM-6343 Methylobacterium extorquens.

FIG. 3 A, B, C are photographs of test tubes containing liquid mediawith non-particulate solid substances with adherent Methylobacterium. In3A, liquid media containing cotton tufts with adherent Methylobacteriumthat impart a dark pink color to the cotton are shown. In 3B, liquidmedia containing glass wool with adherent Methylobacterium that impart apink color to the glass wool are shown. In 3C, liquid media containingbody scrub material with adherent Methylobacterium that impart a pinkcolor to the body scrub material are shown. The Methylobacterium strainis DSM-6343 Methylobacterium extorquens.

FIG. 4 is a photomicrograph of a showing PPFM strain ATCC-35065 Mfujisawaense adhered to cotton fibers. The cotton fibers, adherentMethylobacterium, and non-adherent Methylobacterium are indicated by thelabels in the photomicrograph.

DESCRIPTION Definitions

As used herein, the phrases “adhered thereto” and “adherent” refer toMethylobacterium that are associated with a solid substance by growing,or having been grown, on a solid substance.

As used herein, the phrase “agriculturally acceptable adjuvant” refersto a substance that enhances the performance of an active agent in acomposition for treatment of plants and/or plant parts. In certaincompositions, an active agent can comprise a mono-culture or co-cultureof Methylobacterium.

As used herein, the phrase “agriculturally acceptable excipient” refersto an essentially inert substance that can be used as a diluent and/orcarrier for an active agent in a composition for treatment of plants. Incertain compositions, an active agent can comprise a mono-culture orco-culture of Methylobacterium.

As used herein, the term “algae” refers to any type of micro- ormacroalgae.

As used herein, the term “Methylobacterium” refers to bacteria that arefacultative methylotrophs of the genus Methylobacterium. The termMethylobacterium, as used herein, thus does not encompass includespecies in the genera Methylobacter, Methylomonas, Methylomicrobium,Methylococcus, Methylosinus, Methylocystis, Methylosphaera,Methylocaldum, and Methylocella, which are obligate methanotrophs.

As used herein, the phrase “co-culture of Methylobacterium” refers to aMethylobacterium culture comprising at least two strains ofMethylobacterium or at least two species of Methylobacterium.

As used herein, the phrase “contaminating microorganism” refers tomicroorganisms in a culture, fermentation broth, fermentation brothproduct, or composition that were not identified prior to introductioninto the culture, fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, orcomposition.

As used herein, the phrase “essentially free of contaminatingmicroorganisms” refers to a culture, fermentation broth, fermentationproduct, or composition where at least about 95% of the microorganismspresent by amount or type in the culture, fermentation broth,fermentation product, or composition are the desired Methylobacterium orother desired microorganisms of pre-determined identity.

As used herein, the phrase “inanimate solid substance” refers to asubstance which is insoluble or partially soluble in water or aqueoussolutions and which is either non-living or which is not a part of astill-living organism from which it was derived.

As used herein, the phrase “mono-culture of Methylobacterium” refers toa Methylobacterium culture consisting of a single strain ofMethylobacterium.

As used herein, a “pesticide” refers to an agent that is insecticidal,fungicidal, nematocidal, bacteriocidal, or any combination thereof.

As used herein, the phrase “bacteriostatic agent” refers to agents thatinhibit growth of bacteria but do not kill the bacteria.

As used herein, the phrase “pesticide does not substantially inhibitgrowth of said Methylobacterium” refers to any pesticide that whenprovided in a composition comprising a fermentation product comprising asolid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacteriumis adhered thereto, results in no more than a 50% inhibition ofMethylobacterium growth when the composition is applied to a plant orplant part in comparison to a composition lacking the pesticide. Incertain embodiments, the pesticide results in no more than a 40%, 20%,10%, 5%, or 1% inhibition of Methylobacterium growth when thecomposition is applied to a plant or plant part in comparison to acomposition lacking the pesticide.

As used herein, the term “PPFM bacteria” refers without limitation tobacterial species in the genus Methylobacterium other than M. nodulans.

As used herein, the phrase “solid substance” refers to a substance whichis insoluble or partially soluble in water or aqueous solutions.

As used herein, the phrase “solid phase that can be suspended therein”refers to a solid substance that can be distributed throughout a liquidby agitation.

As used herein, the term “non-regenerable” refers to either a plant partor processed plant product that cannot be regenerated into a wholeplant.

As used herein, the phrase “substantially all of the solid phase issuspended in the liquid phase” refers to media wherein at least 95%,98%, or 99% of solid substance(s) comprising the solid phase aredistributed throughout the liquid by agitation.

As used herein, the phrase “substantially all of the solid phase is notsuspended in the liquid phase” refers to media where less than 5%, 2%,or 1% of the solid is in a particulate form that is distributedthroughout the media by agitation.

As used herein, the term “yield”, when used in reference toMethylobacterium obtained in a fermentation, refers to the numbers ofMethylobacterium obtained. Methods for determining such yield include,but are not limited to, determining the numbers of colony forming units(CFU) per unit volume or unit mass of material obtained, determining awet weight of the Methylobacterium obtained, and/or determining a dryweight of the Methylobacterium obtained.

To the extent to which any of the preceding definitions is inconsistentwith definitions provided in any patent or non-patent referenceincorporated herein by reference, any patent or non-patent referencecited herein, or in any patent or non-patent reference found elsewhere,it is understood that the preceding definition will be used herein.

Methods for Culturing Methylobacterium, Compositions, and Uses Thereof

Methods where Methylobacterium are cultured in biphasic media comprisinga liquid phase and a solid substance have been found to significantlyincrease the resultant yield of Methylobacterium relative to methodswhere the Methylobacterium are cultured in liquid media alone. Incertain embodiments, the methods can comprise growing theMethylobacterium in liquid media with a particulate solid substance thatcan be suspended in the liquid by agitation under conditions thatprovide for Methylobacterium growth. In certain embodiments whereparticulate solid substances are used, at least substantially all of thesolid phase can thus be suspended in the liquid phase upon agitation.Such particulate solid substances can comprise materials that are about1 millimeter or less in length or diameter. In certain embodiments, thedegree of agitation is sufficient to provide for uniform distribution ofthe particulate solid substance in the liquid phase and/or optimallevels of culture aeration. However, in other embodiments providedherein, at least substantially all of the solid phase is not suspendedin the liquid phase, or portions of the solid phase are suspended in theliquid phase and portions of the solid phase are not suspended in theliquid phase. Non-particulate solid substances can be used in certainbiphasic media where the solid phase is not suspended in the liquidphase. Such non-particulate solid substances include, but are notlimited to, materials that are greater than about 1 millimeter in lengthor diameter. Such particulate and non-particulate solid substances alsoinclude, but are not limited to, materials that are porous, fibrous, orotherwise configured to provide for increased surface areas for adherentgrowth of the Methylobacterium. Biphasic media where portions of thesolid phase are suspended in the liquid phase and portions of the solidphase are not suspended in the liquid phase can comprise a mixture ofparticulate and non-particulate solid substances. Such particulate andnon-particulate solid substances used in any of the aforementionedbiphasic media also include, but are not limited to, materials that areporous, fibrous, or otherwise configured to provide for increasedsurface areas for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium. In certainembodiments, the methods can comprise obtaining a biphasic culture mediacomprising the liquid, the solid, and Methylobacterium and incubatingthe culture under conditions that provide for growth of theMethylobacterium. Biphasic culture medias comprising the liquid, thesolid, and Methylobacterium can be obtained by a variety of methods thatinclude, but are not limited to, any of: (a) inoculating a biphasicmedia comprising the liquid and the solid substance withMethylobacterium; (b) inoculating the solid substance withMethylobacterium and then introducing the solid substance comprising theMethylobacterium into the liquid media; (c) inoculating the solidsubstance with Methylobacterium, incubating the Methylobacterium on thesolid substance, and then introducing the solid substance comprising theMethylobacterium into the liquid media; or (d) any combination of (a),(b), or (c). The methods can also further comprise the steps ofharvesting the mono- or co-culture of Methylobacterium. Methods forharvesting the Methylobacterium can include, but are not limited to,separating the Methylobacterium from the liquid phase by filtration,centrifugation, decanting, and the like. Harvested Methylobacteriumobtained by these methods can be Methylobacterium that are adhered tothe solid substance, Methylobacterium that are not adhered to the solidsubstance, and combinations thereof.

Agitation methods that can be used include, but are not limited to,stirring, reciprocal shaking, rotary shaking, and combinations thereof.In certain embodiments, agitation can comprise placing liquid mediacontaining the solid substances on a rotary shaker that provides atleast 25, 50, 100, 200, 250, 500, or 1000 revolutions per minute (RPM).Agitation equivalent to that provided by a rotary shaker set at least at25, 50, 100, 200, 250, 500, or 1000 revolutions per minute (RPM) canalso be obtained by stirring, reciprocal shaking, and other methods. Incertain embodiments, at least substantially all of the solid phase, or aportion of the solid phase, can be suspended in the liquid phase uponagitation equivalent to that provided by a rotary shaker set at least at25, 50, 100, 200, 250, 500, or 1000 revolutions per minute (RPM).

In certain embodiments, harvested material comprising a solid substancewith Methylobacterium adhered thereto can be disassociated. Dissociationcan be effected by any techniques that permit the solid substance withMethylobacterium adhered thereto to be broken into smaller elements.Disassociation techniques including, but are not limited to, macerating,grinding, crushing, sonicating, and/or partially dissolving the solidsubstance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto can be used to break thesolid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto into smallerelements. Such smaller elements include, but are not limited to,non-particulate solid substances with Methylobacterium adhered theretoand particles of the solid substance with Methylobacterium adheredthereto. Such non-particulate and/or particulate solid substances withMethylobacterium adhered thereto can either be directly applied toplants or plant parts or incorporated into compositions that can beapplied to plants or plant parts. In certain embodiments, the solidsubstances with Methylobacterium adhered thereto are broken intoparticles of about 1 millimeter in diameter or less. In certainembodiments, a harvested solid substance with Methylobacterium adheredthereto is disassociated into particles of about 2 microns to about 1000microns in average length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, aharvested solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto isdisassociated into particles of about 1 microns to about 1000 microns inaverage length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, a harvestedsolid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto is disassociatedinto particles of about 1, 2, 4, 10, 20, or 40 microns to any of about100, 200, 500, 750, or 1000 microns in average length or averagediameter. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium titer of theparticles obtained by disassociation is at least about 5×10⁸colony-forming units per gram of particles to at least about 6×10¹⁰,3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units ofMethylobacterium per gram of particles. In certain embodiments, a solidsubstance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto will also comprisenon-adherent Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, solid substancesthat further comprising both adherent Methylobacterium and non-adherentMethylobacterium can also be disassociated to obtain any of theaforementioned fragments or particles. In still other embodiments, solidsubstances with Methylobacterium adhered thereto can be disassociatedand non-adherent Methylobacterium can then be added to the disassociatedsolid substances comprising adherent Methylobacterium.

Solid substances with Methylobacterium adhered thereto can bedisassociated when they are in either a wet or moist form or a dry form.Drying of the solid substance with Methylobacterium can be effected byany technique that maintains viability of the majority of the adherentMethylobacterium, and, when present, non-adherent Methylobacterium. Suchdrying techniques include, but are not limited to, lyophilization,desiccation, heating, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments,drying can be thus effected after disassociation of a solid substancewith Methylobacterium adhered thereto to obtain fragments or particlesof the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto. In otherembodiments, a solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto, ora solid substance further comprising both adherent Methylobacterium andnon-adherent Methylobacterium, can be dried and then dissociated. Incertain embodiments where the solid substance with Methylobacteriumadhered thereto, or a solid substance further comprising both adherentMethylobacterium and non-adherent Methylobacterium, is dried and thendisassociated, solid substances that become friable upon drying can beused as the solid substance in the Methylobacterium fermentationprocess. Examples of such solid substances that become friable upondrying and that can be used in methods provided herein include, but arenot limited to, certain materials of plant origin (e.g. certainmaterials comprising cellulose, hemi-cellulose, and/or lignin), and thelike.

Biphasic fermentation broths used in the methods provided herein can beaxenic cultures that are essentially free of contaminatingmicroorganisms. In certain embodiments, at least about 95%, 98%, 99%,99.5%, 99.8%, 99.9%, or 100% of the microorganisms present by amount ortype in the culture, fermentation broth, fermentation product, orcompositions provided herein are the desired Methylobacterium or otherdesired microorganisms of pre-determined identity. DesiredMethylobacterium or other desired microorganisms of pre-determinedidentity are microorganisms obtained from a pure culture. To provide forsuch axenic cultures, the liquid and solid components used in thebiphasic culture media are sterilized or obtained in an essentiallysterile form prior to inoculation of Methylobacterium and/or anyadditional desired microorganisms in the mono- or co-culture.Sterilization of various solid and liquid components can be achieved bymethods including, but not limited to, autoclaving, irradiation, filtersterilization (for liquids), and the like. A culture, fermentationbroth, fermentation product, or composition that is essentially free ofcontaminating microorganisms can be obtained where the liquid and/orsolid components of that culture, fermentation broth, fermentationproduct, or composition were sterile prior to the inoculation orprovision of the desired microorganisms of pre-determined identity andsuitable steps are taken to avoid contamination of the culture duringgrowth of the desired microorganisms or contamination of thecomposition.

Methods provided herein where Methylobacterium are cultured in biphasicmedia comprising a liquid phase and a solid substance can be practicedin any of a batch-mode fermentation, a fed-batch mode fermentation, or acontinuous fermentation. Fermentation broths, fermentation brothproducts, and compositions provided herein can also be obtained from anyof a batch-mode fermentation, a fed-batch mode fermentation, or acontinuous fermentation. In certain embodiments, factors such as the pHand oxygen concentration can be controlled in any of the batch-modefermentation, fed-batch mode fermentation, or continuous fermentationprocesses used in the methods provided herein.

Monocultures or co-cultures of Methylobacterium and resultantfermentation broths and fermentation broth products provided herein cancomprise one or more Methylobacterium that include, but are not limitedto, M. aminovorans, M. chloromethanicum, M. dichloromethanicum, M.extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. organophilum, M.radiotolerans, M rhodesianum, M. rhodinum, M. thiocyanatum, M. nodulans,M. cerastii, M. gossipiicola, Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378, M.phyllosphaerae, M. oryzae, M. platani, M. populi, and M. zatmanii. Incertain embodiments, monocultures or co-cultures of Methylobacterium andresultant fermentation broths and fermentation broth products providedherein can consist of one or more Methylobacterium. However, the methodsprovided herein can also be used on other Methylobacterium.Methylobacterium can also be obtained by various published methods(Madhaiyan et al., 2007). In certain embodiments, such otherMethylobacterium that can be used will be Methylobacterium having 16SRNA sequences of at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 95% sequenceidentity to the 16S RNA sequences of other known Methylobacterium.Typing of Methylobacterium by use of 16S RNA sequence comparisons is atleast described by Cao et al, 2011. In certain embodiments, themono-cultures or co-cultures and resultant products can comprise aMethylobacterium that can colonize plants and/or plant parts.Methylobacterium that can colonize plants and/or plant parts include,but are not limited to, M. extorquens, M. nodulans, and M. mesophilicum.Methylobacterium that can colonize plants and/or plant parts alsoinclude, but are not limited to, Methylobacterium cerastii species (witha representative strain available as DSM 23679 from the LeibnizInstitute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures(“DSMZ”), Braunschweig, Germany), Methylobacterium gossipiicola species(with a representative strain available as NRRL B-51692 from the USDAARS, Peoria, Ill., USA), Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378 (availablefrom the Belgian Co-ordinated Collection of Micro-organisms/Laboratoriumvoor Microbiologie (“BCCLM”) Ghent, Belgium), Methylobacteriumphyllosphaerae species (with a representative strain available asavailable as DSM 19779T from the DSMZ), Methylobacterium oryzae species(with a representative strain available as DSM 18207T from the DSMZ),Methylobacterium nodulans species (with a representative strainavailable as LMG 21967 from the BCCLM), Methylobacterium platani species(with a representative strain available as KCTC 12901 from the KoreanCollection for Type Cultures, Yusong-Ku, Taejon, KR (“KCTC”), andMethylobacterium populi species (with a representative strain availableas ATCC BAA-705 from the ATCC). Fermentation broths, fermentation brothproducts, compositions, methods of making the same, and methods of usingthe same, including, but not limited to, methods of treating plants,where the Methylobacterium is a Methylobacterium that can colonize aplant and/or a plant part that is selected from the group consisting ofM. extorquens, M. nodulans, M mesophilicum, M. cerastii, M.gossipiicola, Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378, M. phyllosphaerae, M.oryzae, M. platani, and M. populi are thus provided. Methods ofisolating other Methylobacterium that can colonize plants and/or plantparts have been described in various publications and can also be used(see Madhaiyan et al., and references cited therein). Without seeking tobe limited by theory, it is believed that the methods of culturingMethylobacterium in a biphasic media comprising a liquid and a solidsubstance provided herein can be especially advantageous for growingMethylobacterium that can colonize plants and/or plant parts or thatwere isolated from the surfaces of plants and/or plant parts.

Representative Methylobacterium that can be used in the fermentationbroths, fermentation broth products, compositions and related methodsprovided herein include, but are not limited to, the Methylobacterium ofTable 1.

TABLE 1 Representative Methylobacterium Methylobacterium DepositoryAccession Numbers for Type Strain Methylobacterium AR27 = CCM 7305 =CECT 7069 = DSM adhaesivum 17169T = KCTC 22099T Methylobacterium DSM19013 = JCM 16406 = KACC 11766 aerolatum Methylobacterium ATCC 51358 =CIP 105328 = IFO (now aminovorans NBRC) 15686 = JCM 8240 = VKM B-2145Methylobacterium CCM 7218 = CECT 5998 = CIP 108333 = aquaticum DSM 16371Methylobacterium DSM 19569 = NBRC 103629 = NCIMB 14379 brachiatumMethylobacterium DSM 21893 = LMG 24788 bullatum Methylobacterium CCM7788 = CCUG 60040 = DSM 23679 cerastii Methylobacterium NCIMB 13688 =VKM B-2223 chloromethanicum Methylobacterium CIP 106787 = DSM 6343 = VKMB-2191 dichloromethanicum Methylobacterium ATCC 43645 = CCUG 2084 = DSM1337 = IAM extorquens 12631 = IFO (now NBRC) 15687 = JCM 2802 = NCCB78015 = NCIB (now NCIMB) 9399 = VKM B-2064. Methylobacterium ATCC 43884= CIP 103775 = DSM 5686 = fujisawaense IFO (now NBRC) 15843 = JCM 10890= NCIB (now NCIMB) 12417 Methylobacterium CCM 7572 = NRRL B-51692gossipiicola Methylobacterium DSM 19564 = NBRC 103626 = NCIMB gregans14376 Methylobacterium GP34 = CCM 7219 = CECT 5997 = CIP hispanicum108332 = DSM 16372 Methylobacterium DSM 19015 = JCM 16407 = KACC 11765iners Methylobacterium CCM 7304 = CECT 7068 isbiliense MethylobacteriumKCTC 12671 = LMG 23639 jeotgali Methylobacterium DSM 19563 = NBRC 103627= NCIMB komagatae 14377 Methylobacterium CECT 7806 = DSM 23933 longumMethylobacterium DSM 14457 = NCIMB 13779 = VKM B- lusitanum 2239Methylobacterium CCUG 56108 = DSM 21328 marchantiae MethylobacteriumATCC 29983 = CCUG 16482 = CIP mesophilicum 101129 = DSM 1708 = ICPB 4095= IFO (now NBRC) 15688 = JCM 2829 = LMG 5275 = NCIB (now NCIMB) 11561 =NRRL B-14246 Methylobacterium LMG 21967 = ORS 2060 nodulansMethylobacterium ATCC 27886 = CIP 101049 = DSM 760 = organophilum HAMBI2263 = IFO (now NBRC) 15689 = JCM 2833 = LMG 6083 = NCCB 78041 = VKMB-2066 Methylobacterium DSM 18207 = JCM 16405 = KACC 11585 = oryzae LMG23582 Methylobacterium DSM 19562 = NBRC 103628 = NCIMB persicinum 14378Methylobacterium DSM 19779 = JCM 16408 = KACC 11716 = phyllosphaerae LMG24361 Methylobacterium JCM 14648 = KCTC 12901 platani MethylobacteriumATCC BAA-547 = DSM 15083 podarium Methylobacterium ATCC BAA-705 = NCIMB13946 populi Methylobacterium ATCC 27329 = CIP 101128 = DSM 1819 =radiotolerans IFO (now NBRC) 15690 = JCM 2831 = LMG 2269 = NCIB (nowNCIMB) 10815 = VKM B-2144 Methylobacterium ATCC 14821 = CIP 101127 = DSM2163 = rhodinum IFO (now NBRC) 15691 = JCM 2811 = LMG 2275 = NCIB (nowNCIMB) 9421 = VKM B-2065 Methylobacterium DSM 14458 = NCIMB 13778 = VKMB- suomiense 2238 Methylobacterium DSM 19566 = NBRC 103632 = NCIMBtardum 14380 Methylobacterium ATCC 700647 = DSM 11490 = JCM thiocyanatum10893 = VKM B-2197 Methylobacterium CCM 7281 = CECT 7045 = DSM 16961variabile Methylobacterium ATCC 43883 = CCUG 36916 = CIP zatmanii 103774= DSM 5688 = IFO (now NBRC) 15845 = JCM 10892 = LMG 6087 = NCIB (nowNCIMB) 12243 = VKM B-2161 Depository Key ATCC: American Type TissueCulture Collection, Manassas, VA, USA CCUG: Culture Collection,University of Göteborg, Sweden CIP: Collection de l'Institut Pasteur,Paris, FR DSM: DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and CellCultures (“DSMZ”), Braunschweig, Germany JCM: Japan Collection ofMicroorganisms, Saitama, Japan LMG: Belgian Co-ordinated Collection ofMicro-organisms/Laboratorium voor Microbiologie (“BCCLM”) Ghent, BelgiumNBRC: Biological Resource Center (NBRC), Chiba, Japan NCIMB: NationalCollections of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria, UK NRRL: USDA ARS,Peoria, IL., USA

In certain embodiments, the mono-cultures or co-cultures and resultantfermentation broths and fermentation broth products can comprise one ormore Methylobacterium isolates or mutants that produce increased levelsof useful nutrients or plant growth regulators. U.S. Pat. No. 8,153,118discloses various Methylobacterium isolates that produce increasedlevels of vitamin B-12 and amino acids that can be used in the methodsand compositions provided herein. Fermentation broths, fermentationbroth products, and compositions that comprise one or more of theMethylobacterium such as Methylobacterium mutant B12-11 having AmericanTissue Type Collection accession number ATCC PTA-1561 that overproducesvitamin B-12, Methylobacterium rhodinum (ATCC #43282) that over-producesthe amino acid threonine, Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC #21371) thatover-produces the amino acid L-glutamic acid, Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC#21372) that over-produces the amino acid L-glutamic acid,Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC #21926) over-produces the amino acidL-lysine, Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC #21969) over-produces the aminoacid L-glutamic acid, Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC #21927) over-producesthe amino acids L-lysine, L-aspartic acid, L-alanine, L-valine,L-leucine, and L-arginine, and/or Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC #21438)that produces single-cell protein are also provided.

In certain embodiments, the fermentation broth, fermentation brothproduct, or compositions provided herein can further comprise one ormore introduced microorganisms of pre-determined identity other thanMethylobacterium. Other microorganisms that can be added include, butare not limited to, microorganisms that are biopesticidal or providesome other benefit when applied to a plant or plant part. Biopesticidalor otherwise beneficial microorganisms thus include, but are not limitedto, various Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Coniothyrium sp., Pantoeasp., Streptomyces sp., and Trichoderma sp. Microbial biopesticides canbe a bacterium, fungus, virus, or protozoan. Particularly usefulbiopesticidal microorganisms include various Bacillus subtilis, Bacillusthuringiensis, Bacillus pumilis, Pseudomonas syringae, Trichodermaharzianum, Trichoderma virens, and Streptomyces lydicus strains. Othermicroorganisms that are added can be genetically engineered or naturallyoccurring isolates that are available as pure cultures. In certainembodiments, it is anticipated that the bacterial or fungalmicroorganism can be provided in the fermentation broth, fermentationbroth product, or composition in the form of a spore. Still othermicroorganisms that can be added include, but are not limited to,microorganisms that are photosynthetic microorganisms. Suchphotosynthetic organisms include, but are not limited to, algae. Suchalgae can include, but are not limited to, algae of the genii ofProtococcus, Ulva, Codium, Enteromorpha, Neochloris, and/orChlamydomonas.

In certain embodiments, the liquid culture medium is prepared frominexpensive and readily available components, including, but not limitedto, inorganic salts such as potassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate andthe like, carbon sources such as glycerol, methanol, glutamic acid,aspartic acid, succinic acid and the like, and amino acid blends such aspeptone, tryptone, and the like. Exemplary liquid media that can be usedinclude, but are not limited to, ammonium mineral salts (AMS) medium(Whittenbury et al., 1970), Vogel-Bonner (VB) minimal culture medium(Vogel and Bonner, 1956), and LB broth (“Luria—Bertani Broth”).

In general, the solid substance used in the methods and compositionsthat provide for the efficient growth of Methylobacterium can be anysuitable solid substance which is insoluble or only partially soluble inwater or aqueous solutions. Such suitable solid substances are alsonon-bacteriocidal or non-bacteriostatic with respect to Methylobacteriumwhen the solid substances are provided in the liquid culture media. Incertain embodiments, such suitable solid substances are also solidsubstances that are readily obtained in sterile form or renderedsterile. Solid substances used herein can be sterilized by any methodthat provides for removal of contaminating microorganisms and thusinclude, but are not limited to, methods such as autoclaving,irradiation, chemical treatment, and any combination thereof. Thesesolid substances include natural substances of animal, plant, microbial,fungal, or mineral origin, manmade substances, or combinations ofnatural and manmade substances. In certain embodiments, the solidsubstances are inanimate solid substances. Inanimate solid substances ofanimal, plant, microbial, or fungal origin can be obtained from animals,plants, microbes, or fungi that are inviable (i.e. no longer living) orthat have been rendered inviable. Diatom shells are thus inanimate solidsubstances when previously associated diatom algae have been removed orotherwise rendered inviable. Since diatom shells are inanimate solidsubstances, they are not considered to be photosynthetic organisms orphotosynthetic microorganisms. In certain embodiments, solid substancesinclude, but are not limited to, sand, silt, soil, clay, ash, charcoal,diatomaceous earth and other similar minerals, ground glass or glassbeads, ground ceramic materials, ceramic beads, bentonite, kaolin, talc,perlite, mica, vermiculite, silicas, quartz powder, montmorillonite, andcombinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance can bea polymer or polymeric beads. Polymers that can be used as a solidsubstance include, but are not limited to, various polysaccharides suchas cellulosic polymers and chitinous polymers which are insoluble oronly partially soluble in water or aqueous solutions, agar (i.e.galactans), and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solidsubstance can be an insoluble or only partially soluble salt crystal.Salt crystals that can be used include, but are not limited to,insoluble or only partially soluble carbonates, chromates, sulfites,phosphates, hydroxides, oxides, and sulfides. In certain embodiments,the solid substance can be a microbial cell, fungal cell, microbialspore, or fungal spore. In certain embodiments, the solid substance canbe a microbial cell or microbial spore wherein the microbial cell ormicrobial spore is not a photosynthetic microorganism. In certainembodiments, the microbial cell or microbial spore is not aphotosynthetic microorganism, where the photosynthetic microorganism isselected from the group consisting of algae, cyanobacteria, diatoms,Botryococcus braunii, Chlorella, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Gracilaria,Pleurochrysis carterae, Sargassum, and Ulva. In still other embodiments,the solid substance can be an inactivated (i.e. inviable) microbialcell, fungal cell, microbial spore, or fungal spore. In still otherembodiments, the solid substance can be a quiescent (i.e. viable but notactively dividing) microbial cell, fungal cell, microbial spore, orfungal spore. In still other embodiments, the solid substance can becellular debris of microbial origin. In still other embodiments, thesolid substance can be particulate matter from any part of a plant.Plant parts that can be used to obtain the solid substance include, butare not limited to, cobs, husks, hulls, leaves, roots, flowers, stems,bark, seeds, and combinations thereof. Products obtained from processedplant parts including but not limited to, bagasse, wheat bran, soygrits, crushed seed cake, stover, and the like can also be used. Suchplant parts, processed plants, and/or processed plant parts can bemilled to obtain the solid material in a particulate form that can beused. In certain embodiments, wood or a wood product including, but notlimited to, wood pulp, sawdust, shavings, and the like can be used. Incertain embodiments, the solid substance can be a particulate matterfrom an animal(s), including, but not limited to, bone meal, gelatin,ground or powdered shells, hair, macerated hide, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the solid substance is provided in a particulateform that provides for distribution of the solid substance in theculture media. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is comprisedof particle of about 2 microns to about 1000 microns in average lengthor average diameter. In certain embodiments, the solid substance iscomprised of particle of about 1 microns to about 1000 microns inaverage length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, the solidsubstance is a particle of about 1, 2, 4, 10, 20, or 40 microns to anyof about 100, 200, 500, 750, or 1000 microns in average length oraverage diameter. Desirable characteristics of particles used in themethods and compositions provided herein include suitable wettabilitysuch that the particles can be suspended throughout the media uponagitation.

In certain embodiments, the solid substance can be a solid substancethat provides for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium on the solidsubstance. Methylobacterium that are adhered to a solid substance areMethylobacterium that cannot be substantially removed by simply washingthe solid substance with the adherent Methylobacterium with growth mediawhereas non-adherent Methylobacterium can be substantially removed bywashing the solid substance with liquid growth media. In this context,“substantially removed” means that at least about 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%,70%, or 80% the Methylobacterium present are removed when the solidsubstance is washed with three volumes of liquid growth media. Suchwashing can be effected by a variety of methods including, by notlimited to, decanting liquid from a washed solid phase or passing liquidthrough a solid phase on a filter that permits flow through of bacteriain the liquid. In certain embodiments, the adherent Methylobacteriumthat are associated with the solid can include both Methylobacteriumthat are directly attached to the solid and/or Methylobacterium that areindirectly attached to the solid substance.

Methylobacterium that are indirectly attached to the solid substanceinclude, but are not limited to, Methylobacterium that are attached toanother Methylobacterium or to another microorganism that is attached tothe solid substance, Methylobacterium that are attached to the solidsubstance by being attached to another substance that is attached to thesolid substance, and the like. In certain embodiments, at least 10%,20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% ofthe Methylobacterium in the fermentation broth, fermentation brothproduct, or compositions are Methylobacterium that are adhered to thesolid substance. In certain embodiments, adherent Methylobacterium canbe present on the surface of the solid substance in the fermentationbroth, fermentation broth product, or composition at a density of atleast about 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers, of at least about1 Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers, of at least about 1Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers, of at least about 1Methylobacterium/5 square micrometers, of at least about 1Methylobacterium/2 square micrometers, or of at least about 1Methylobacterium/square micrometer. In certain embodiments, adherentMethylobacterium can be present on the surface of the solid substance inthe fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or composition at adensity of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers toabout 1 Methylobacterium/square micrometer, of at least about 1Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers to about 1Methylobacterium/square micrometer, of at least about 1Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers to about 1Methylobacterium/square micrometer, of at least about 1Methylobacterium/5 square micrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium/squaremicrometer, or of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/2 square micrometersto about 1 Methylobacterium/square micrometer. In certain embodiments,adherent Methylobacterium can be present on the surface of the solidsubstance in the fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, orcomposition at a density of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 squaremicrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium/2 square micrometers, of atleast about 1 Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers to about 1Methylobacterium/2 square micrometers, of at least about 1Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium/2square micrometers, or of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/5 squaremicrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium/2 square micrometers. Biphasicfermentation broths provided herein can comprise a liquid phase thatcontains non-adherent Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, titersof non-adherent Methylobacterium in the liquid phase can be less thanabout 100,000, 10,000, or 1,000 CFU/ml.

Biphasic culture methods provided can yield fermentation broths withMethylobacterium at a titer of greater than about 5×10 colony-formingunits per milliliter, at a titer of greater than about 1×10⁹colony-forming units per milliliter, at a titer of greater than about1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, at a titer of at least about3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments,fermentation broths provided herein can comprise Methylobacterium at atiter of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter to atleast about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, at least about5×10′ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 4×10¹⁰colony-forming units per milliliter, or at least about 5×10′colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 6×10¹⁰colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments,fermentation broths provided herein can comprise Methylobacterium at atiter of at least about 1×10⁹ colony-forming units per milliliter to atleast about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, at least about1×10⁹ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 4×10¹⁰colony-forming units per milliliter, or at least about 1×10⁹colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 6×10¹⁰colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments,fermentation broths provided herein will comprise Methylobacterium at atiter of at least about 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter to atleast about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, at least about1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 4×10¹⁰colony-forming units per milliliter, or at least about 1×10¹⁰colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 6×10¹⁰colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments,fermentation broths provided herein will comprise Methylobacterium at atiter of, at least about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter toat least about 4×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, or at leastabout 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter.

Also provided herein are methods for obtaining a Methylobacteriumpreparation where the Methylobacterium either are grown in a culturevessel that comprises or contains one or more solid surfaces thatprovide for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium or are grown inmedia that comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, and thenharvested by removal from the solid surface or the solid phase to whichthey have adhered. In certain embodiments where a solid surface thatprovides for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium is used, the solidsurface can form part of the culture vessel itself. In still otherembodiments, a solid surface that is contained in a culture vessel is asolid surface that can be detached from the culture vessel, particularlyafter or during the course of a fermentation run, to facilitate removalof the adherent Methylobacterium. Exemplary and non-limiting solidsurfaces include beads, rings, cylinder and other shapes that providefor improved surface area to volume ratios. Solid surfaces used in theculture vessel can be either porous or smooth. Exemplary solid surfacesused culture vessels can be made from materials that include, but arenot limited to, coated or uncoated metals, glass, plastics, ceramics, orcombinations thereof that permit adherent growth of Methylobacterium.Following the culturing, Methylobacterium that have adhered to the solidsurface or the solid phase can be harvested by one or more of a physicaland/or chemical treatment(s). In certain embodiments of these methods,non-adherent Methylobacterium that have accumulated in the liquid phasecan also be harvested. Chemical treatments used to harvest theMethylobacterium include, but are not limited to, exposing the adherentMethylobacterium to a shift in ionic strength, a shift in pH, adetergent treatment, a solvent treatment, an enzymatic treatment, andcombinations thereof. Enzymatic treatments used to harvest theMethylobacterium can include, but are not limited to, exposingMethylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or to the solid phase to aprotease, a lipase, a glucanase, or any combination thereof. Detergenttreatments used to harvest the Methylobacterium can include, but are notlimited to, exposing Methylobacterium adhered to the solid surface orthe solid phase to an ionic detergent, a non-ionic detergent, or anycombination thereof. Physical treatments used to harvest theMethylobacterium can include, but are not limited to, exposingMethylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or to the solid phase tosonication, scraping, a pressurized liquid, a pressurized slurry, heat,or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, non-adherentMethylobacterium can be harvested from the liquid in the culture vessel.In still other embodiments, non-adherent Methylobacterium can beharvested from the liquid in the culture vessel and adherentMethylobacterium harvested from the solid surface.

Without seeking to be limited by theory, it is believed that the solidin the biphasic culture media provides a surface on whichMethylobacterium can adhere to and grow upon. Such adherent growth onthe solid in the biphasic culture media is believed to be more rapid(i.e. provide for a decreased doubling time) than growth in the absenceof the solid. It is believed that both the number (i.e. colony formingunits per milliliter) and density (Methylobacterium per squaremicrometers) of Methylobacterium will increase during the course of thefermentation until a maximum number and/or density is reached. Incertain embodiments, it is believed that daughter cells from an adherentmother cell can either grow on the solid surface, grow on the adherentmother cell, and/or be shed into the liquid phase. It is also thusbelieved that the number (i.e. colony forming units per milliliter) ofMethylobacterium in the liquid phase can increase until a maximum numberis reached.

Solid substances with adherent Methylobacterium can be used to makevarious compositions useful for treating plants or plant parts.Alternatively, fermentation broths or fermentation broth productscomprising solid substances with adherent Methylobacterium can be usedto treat plants or plant parts. Plants, plant parts, and, in particular,plant seeds that have been at least partially coated with thefermentation broth products or compositions are thus provided. Alsoprovided are processed plant products that contain the fermentationbroth products or compositions. Solid substances with adherentMethylobacterium can be used to make various compositions that areparticularly useful for treating plant seeds. Seeds that have been atleast partially coated with the fermentation broth products orcompositions are thus provided. Also provided are processed seedproducts, including, but not limited to, meal, flour, feed, and flakesthat contain the fermentation broth products or compositions providedherein. In certain embodiments, the processed plant product will benon-regenerable (i.e. will be incapable of developing into a plant). Incertain embodiments, the solid substance used in the fermentationproduct or composition that at least partially coats the plant, plantpart, or plant seed or that is contained in the processed plant, plantpart, or seed product comprises a solid substance and associated oradherent Methylobacterium that can be readily identified by comparing atreated and an untreated plant, plant part, plant seed, or processedproduct thereof.

Fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products,or other compositions comprising solid substances with adherentMethylobacterium can be used to produce industrial products orrecombinant proteins or in bioremediation.

Compositions useful for treating plants or plant parts that comprise thesolid substance with adherent Methylobacterium can also comprise anagriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptableexcipient. An agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturallyacceptable excipient is typically an ingredient that does not causeundue phytotoxicity or other adverse effects when exposed to a plant orplant part. In certain embodiments, the solid substance can itself be anagriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptableexcipient so long as it is not bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic to theMethylobacterium. In other embodiments, the composition furthercomprises at least one of an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or anagriculturally acceptable excipient. Any of the aforementionedcompositions can also further comprise a pesticide. Pesticides used inthe composition include, but are not limited to, an insecticide, afungicide, a nematocide, and a bacteriocide. In certain embodiments, thepesticide used in the composition is a pesticide that does notsubstantially inhibit growth of the Methylobacterium. AsMethylobacterium are gram negative bacteria, suitable bacteriocides usedin the compositions can include, but are not limited to, bacteriocidesthat exhibit activity against gram positive bacteria but not gramnegative bacteria. Compositions provided herein can also comprise abacteriostatic agent that does not substantially inhibit growth of theMethylobacterium. Bacteriostatic agents suitable for use in compositionsprovided herein include, but are not limited to, those that exhibitactivity against gram positive bacteria but not gram negative bacteria.Any of the aforementioned compositions can also be an essentially dryproduct (i.e. having about 5% or less water content), an emulsion, or asuspension.

Agriculturally acceptable adjuvants used in the compositions include,but are not limited to, components that enhance product efficacy and/orproducts that enhance ease of product application. Adjuvants thatenhance product efficacy can include various wetters/spreaders thatpromote adhesion to and spreading of the composition on plant parts,stickers that promote adhesion to the plant part, penetrants that canpromote contact of the active agent with interior tissues, extendersthat increase the half-life of the active agent by inhibitingenvironmental degradation, and humectants that increase the density ordrying time of sprayed compositions. Wetters/spreaders used in thecompositions can include, but are not limited to, non-ionic surfactants,anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants,organo-silicate surfactants, and/or acidified surfactants. Stickers usedin the compositions can include, but are not limited to, latex-basedsubstances, terpene/pinolene, and pyrrolidone-based substances.Penetrants can include mineral oil, vegetable oil, esterified vegetableoil, organo-silicate surfactants, and acidified surfactants. Extendersused in the compositions can include, but are not limited to, ammoniumsulphate, or menthene-based substances. Humectants used in thecompositions can include, but are not limited to, glycerol, propyleneglycol, and diethyl glycol. Adjuvants that improve ease of productapplication include, but are not limited to, acidifying/bufferingagents, anti-foaming/de-foaming agents, compatibility agents,drift-reducing agents, dyes, and water conditioners.Anti-foaming/de-foaming agents used in the compositions can include, butare not limited to, dimethopolysiloxane. Compatibility agents used inthe compositions can include, but are not limited to, ammonium sulphate.Drift-reducing agents used in the compositions can include, but are notlimited to, polyacrylamides, and polysaccharides. Water conditionersused in the compositions can include, but are not limited to, ammoniumsulphate.

Methods of treating plants and/or plant parts with the fermentationbroths, fermentation broth products, and compositions are also providedherein. Treated plants, and treated plant parts obtained therefrom,include, but are not limited to, corn, Brassica sp. (e.g., B. napus, B.rapa, B. juncea), alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, millet (e.g., pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), foxtailmillet (Setaria italica), finger millet (Eleusine coracana)), sunflower,safflower, soybean, tobacco, potato, peanuts, cotton, sweet potato(Ipomoea batatus), cassava, coffee, coconut, pineapple, citrus trees,cocoa, tea, banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango, olive, papaya, cashew,macadamia, almond, sugar beets, sugarcane, oats, barley, tomatoeslettuce, green beans, lima beans, peas, cucurbits such as cucumber,cantaloupe, and musk melon, ornamentals, and conifers. Plant parts thatare treated include, but are not limited to, leaves, stems, flowers,roots, seeds, fruit, tubers, coleoptiles, and the like. Ornamentalplants and plant parts that can be treated include, but are not limitedto azalea, hydrangea, hibiscus, roses, tulips, daffodils, petunias,carnation, poinsettia, and chrysanthemum. Conifer plants and plant partsthat can be treated include, but are not limited to, pines such asloblolly pine, slash pine, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, and Montereypine; Douglas-fir; Western hemlock; Sitka spruce; redwood; true firssuch as silver fir and balsam fir; and cedars such as Western red cedarand Alaska yellow-cedar. Turfgrass plants and plant parts that can betreated include, but are not limited to, annual bluegrass, annualryegrass, Canada bluegrass, fescue, bentgrass, wheatgrass, Kentuckybluegrass, orchard grass, ryegrass, redtop, Bermuda grass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysia grass. Seeds or other propagules of any of theaforementioned plants can be treated with the fermentation broths,fermentation broth products, fermentation products, and/or compositionsprovided herein.

In certain embodiments, plants and/or plant parts are treated byapplying the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products,fermentation products, and compositions as a spray. Such sprayapplications include, but are not limited to, treatments of a singleplant part or any combination of plant parts. Spraying can be achievedwith any device that will distribute the fermentation broths,fermentation broth products, fermentation products, and compositions tothe plant and/or plant part(s). Useful spray devices include a boomsprayer, a hand or backpack sprayer, crop dusters (i.e. aerialspraying), and the like. Spraying devices and or methods providing forapplication of the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products,fermentation products, and compositions to either one or both of theadaxial surface and/or abaxial surface can also be used. Plants and/orplant parts that are at least partially coated with any of a biphasicfermentation broth, a fermentation broth product, fermentation product,or compositions that comprise a solid substance with Methylobacteriumadhered thereto are also provided herein. Also provided herein areprocessed plant products that comprise a solid substance withMethylobacterium adhered thereto.

In certain embodiments, seeds are treated by exposing the seeds to thefermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products,and compositions provided herein. Seeds can be treated with thefermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositionsprovided herein by methods including, but not limited to, imbibition,coating, spraying, and the like. Seed treatments can be effected withboth continuous and/or a batch seed treaters. In certain embodiments,the coated seeds may be prepared by slurrying seeds with a coatingcomposition containing a fermentation broth, fermentation broth product,or compositions provided that comprise the solid substance withMethylobacterium and air drying the resulting product. Air drying can beaccomplished at any temperature that is not deleterious to the seed orthe Methylobacterium, but will typically not be greater than 30 degreesCentigrade. The proportion of coating that comprises a solid substanceand Methylobacterium includes, but is not limited to, a range of 0.1 to25% by weight of the seed, 0.5 to 5% by weight of the seed, and 0.5 to2.5% by weight of seed. In certain embodiments, a solid substance usedin the seed coating or treatment will have Methylobacterium adheredthereon. In certain embodiments, a solid substance used in the seedcoating or treatment will be associated with Methylobacterium and willbe a fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or compositionobtained by the methods provided herein. Various seed treatmentcompositions and methods for seed treatment disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,106,648, 5,512,069, and 8,181,388 are incorporated herein by referencein their entireties and can be adapted for use with an active agentcomprising the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, orcompositions provided herein. In certain embodiments, the compositionused to treat the seed can contain agriculturally acceptable excipientsthat include, but are not limited to, woodflours, clays, activatedcarbon, diatomaceous earth, fine-grain inorganic solids, calciumcarbonate and the like. Clays and inorganic solids that can be used withthe fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, or compositionsprovided herein include, but are not limited to, calcium bentonite,kaolin, china clay, talc, perlite, mica, vermiculite, silicas, quartzpowder, montmorillonite and mixtures thereof. Agriculturally acceptableadjuvants that promote sticking to the seed that can be used include,but are not limited to, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetatecopolymers, hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetates, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers,polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl methyl ether-maleic anhydridecopolymer, waxes, latex polymers, celluloses including ethylcellulosesand methylcelluloses, hydroxy methylcelluloses, hydroxypropylcellulose,hydroxymethylpropylcelluloses, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, alginates,dextrins, malto-dextrins, polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, karayagum, jaguar gum, tragacanth gum, polysaccharide gums, mucilage, gumarabics, shellacs, vinylidene chloride polymers and copolymers,soybean-based protein polymers and copolymers, lignosulfonates, acryliccopolymers, starches, polyvinylacrylates, zeins, gelatin,carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan, polyethylene oxide, acrylimidepolymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylimidemonomers, alginate, ethylcellulose, polychloroprene and syrups ormixtures thereof. Other useful agriculturally acceptable adjuvants thatcan promote coating include, but are not limited to, polymers andcopolymers of vinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetatecopolymer and water-soluble waxes. Various surfactants, dispersants,anticaking-agents, foam-control agents, and dyes disclosed herein and inU.S. Pat. No. 8,181,388 can be adapted for use with an active agentcomprising the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, orcompositions provided herein.

Use of the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, andcompositions provided herein to promote nodal root formation in cerealplants is also provided herein. Early development of a vigorous nodalroot system is important in establishing stands of cereal plant cropsthat include, but are not limited to, corn, barley, millet, oat, rice,rye, sorghum, triticale, and wheat. The first roots that emerge from acereal plant seed (the radicle and seminal roots) function mainly in theuptake of water from the soil. The radicle seminal roots do not provideother nourishment, which early in the growth of the seedling is providedby energy and nutrient reserves in the kernel. When nodal roots emergefrom the cereal plant stem, growth of the seminal roots slowsdramatically and they contribute little to the season-long maintenanceof the cereal plant. Instead, the nodal root system plays this role.Thus, the early and vigorous establishment of a nodal root system playsa key role in the development of a uniform stand of a cereal plant crop.Failure to do so results in stunted plants and other deficiencies thatend in lower yields at harvest.

Provided herein are fermentation broths, fermentation broth products,and compositions that increase nodal root growth in cereal plantsrelative to untreated cereal plants that have not been exposed to thefermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositions. Incertain embodiments, cereal plant parts, including, but not limited to,a seed, a leaf, or a coleoptile can be treated with the fermentationbroths, fermentation broth products, and compositions to increase cerealplant nodal root growth. Treatments or applications can include, but arenot limited to, spraying, coating, partially coating, immersing, and/orimbibing the cereal plant or cereal plant parts with the fermentationbroths, fermentation broth products, and compositions provided herein.In certain embodiments, seeds can be immersed and/or imbibed with afermentation broth, with a fermentation broth product that has beenpartially or completely resuspended in a liquid, or with a liquid,semi-liquid, or slurry of a composition provided herein. Such seedimmersion or imbibition can be sufficient to provide for an increase innodal root growth in a cereal plant in comparison to nodal root growthin a mock or untreated cereal plant. Such increases in nodal root growthinclude increases in the numbers, length, dry weight, and/or wet weightof the nodal roots in treated cereal plants relative to untreated cerealplants. In certain embodiments, cereal plant seeds can be immersedand/or imbibed for at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 hours. Such immersionand/or imbibition can, in certain embodiments, be conducted attemperatures that are not deleterious to the cereal plant seed or theMethylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the seeds can be treated atabout 15 to about 30 degrees Centigrade or at about 20 to about 25degrees Centigrade. In certain embodiments, seed imbibition and/orimmersion can be performed with gentle agitation.

Amounts of the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, andcompositions sufficient to provide for an increase in nodal root growthin a cereal plant can thus be determined by measuring any or all of anincrease in the number, length, dry weight, and/or wet weight of thenodal roots in treated cereal plants relative to untreated cerealplants. In certain embodiments, an amount of a fermentation brothprovided herein that is sufficient to provide for an increase in nodalroot growth in a cereal plant can be a fermentation broth withMethylobacterium at a titer of at least about 5×10′ colony-forming unitsper milliliter, at least about 1×10⁹ colony-forming units permilliliter, at least about 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter,or at least about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certainembodiments, an amount of a fermentation broth provided herein that issufficient to provide for an increase in nodal root growth in a cerealplant can be a fermentation broth with Methylobacterium at a titer ofabout 5×10′ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 6×10¹⁰colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments, an amountof a fermentation broth product provided herein that is sufficient toprovide for an increase in nodal root growth in a cereal plant can be afermentation broth product with a Methylobacterium titer of the solidphase of that product is at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units pergram to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units of Methylobacteriumper gram of the solid phase. In certain embodiments, an amount of acomposition provided herein that is sufficient to provide for anincrease in nodal root growth in a cereal plant can be a compositionwith a Methylobacterium titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-formingunits per gram to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units ofMethylobacterium per gram of particles in the composition containing theparticles that comprise a solid substance wherein a mono-culture orco-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodimentsof the invention. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the artthat the techniques disclosed in the following examples representtechniques discovered by the Applicants to function well in the practiceof the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferredmodes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, inlight of the instant disclosure, appreciate that many changes can bemade in the specific embodiments that are disclosed, while stillobtaining like or similar results, without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

Example 1. Growth of PPFM Bacteria on Solid Agar Plate Media

For the growth of PPFM bacteria on solid agar plate media, a variety ofstandard media were tested.

One medium used was ammonium mineral salts (AMS) medium (Whittenbury etal., 1970). AMS medium contains, per liter, 700 milligrams of dibasicpotassium phosphate anhydrous, 540 milligrams of monobasic potassiumphosphate anhydrous, one gram of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, 500milligrams of ammonium chloride anhydrous, 200 milligrams of calciumchloride dehydrate, 4 milligrams of ferric sulfate heptahydrate, 100micrograms of zinc sulfate heptahydrate, 30 micrograms of manganesechloride tetrahydrate, 300 micrograms of boric acid anhydrous, 200micrograms of cobalt chloride hexahydrate, 10 micrograms of copperchloride dehydrate, 20 micrograms of nickel chloride hexahydrate, and 60micrograms of sodium molybdate dehydrate.

AMS medium was prepared from four stock solutions, listed below

Stock solution I: for one liter at 50X concentration dibasic potassiumphosphate, anhydrous 35 grams monobasic potassium phosphate, anhydrous27 grams

Stock solution II: for one liter at 50X concentration magnesium sulfateheptahydrate 50 grams ammonium chloride, anhydrous 25 grams

Stock soultion III: for one liter at 50X concentration calcium chloridedihydrate 10 grams

Trace metals stock solution: for one liter at 1000X concentration ferricsulfate heptahydrate 4 grams zinc sulfate heptahydrate 100 milligramsmanganese chloride tetrahydrate 30 milligrams boric acid, anhydrous 300milligrams cobalt chloride hexahydrate 200 milligrams copper chloridedihydrate 10 milligrams nickel chloride hexahydrate 20 milligrams sodiummolybdate dihydrate 60 milligrams

Stock solutions I, II, and III were autoclaved separately. The tracemetals stock solution could not be autoclaved, as most of the saltsprecipitated out during the autoclaving step, and so it wasfilter-sterilized through a 0.2 micrometer filter apparatus. These stepswere necessary to insure the preparation of a water-clear AIS culturemedium with all ingredients in solution. As originally described byWhittenbury et al. (1970), the phosphate-containing components of theAMS medium were segregated from the other components until the finalfinishing steps of the medium preparation, preventing the formation ofinsoluble magnesium phosphate and calcium phosphate crystals.

To prepare one liter of solid agar plate media with an AIS base, 15grams of agar were added to 940 ml of distilled water, and this mixturewas autoclaved. After autoclaving, 20 ml each of stock solutions I, II,and III were added, along with one ml of the filter-sterilized tracemetals stock solution.

If other medium components, such as a carbon source, were to beincorporated, for the most part these were added to the water and agarmixture before autoclaving. The one exception to this was methanol,which was filter-sterilized through a 0.2 micrometer filter apparatusand added after the base medium had been autoclaved.

A second medium used was Vogel-Bonner (VB) minimal culture medium (Vogeland Bonner, 1956). VB medium contains, per liter, 298 milligrams ofmagnesium sulfate heptahydrate, 14.93 grams of anhydrous dibasicpotassium phosphate, 5.22 grams of sodium ammonium phosphatetetrahydrate, and 2.73 grams of anhydrous citric acid (the free acidform).

Vogel-Bonner minimal medium was prepared from a 25× stock solution ofthe salts and citric acid. This 25× stock solution was prepared bydissolving in one liter of distilled water the following amounts of eachingredient, in the order listed, and making sure each one was completelydissolved before adding the next one: 7.46 grams of magnesium sulfateheptahydrate, 68.23 grams of anhydrous citric acid, 373.13 grams ofanhydrous dibasic potassium phosphate, and 130.60 grams of sodiumammonium phosphate tetrahydrate. By first dissolving the magnesiumsulfate and then adding the citric acid, the magnesium ions werechelated by the citrate ions, preventing the formation of insolublemagnesium phosphate crystals when the phosphate salts are added. Thisinsured the preparation of a water-clear culture medium with allingredients in solution.

To prepare one liter of solid agar plate media with a VB base, 15 gramsof agar were added to 960 ml of distilled water and this mixture wasautoclaved. After autoclaving, 40 ml of the 25× VB salts stock solutionwere added.

If other medium components, such as a carbon source, were to beincorporated, for the most part these were added to the water and agarmixture before autoclaving. The one exception to this was methanol,which was filter-sterilized through a 0.2 micrometer filter apparatusand added after the base medium had been autoclaved.

A third medium used was LB broth. LB broth contains, per liter, 10 gramsof tryptone, 5 grams of yeast extract, and 10 grams of sodium chloride.All components were dissolved in one liter of distilled water andautoclaved. This medium was water-clear, with all ingredients insolution.

To prepare one liter of solid agar plate media with an LB base, 15 gramsof agar were added to one liter of LB broth, and this mixture wasautoclaved.

Corpe and Basile (1982) conducted a systematic survey of the growth ofvarious strains of PPFM bacteria in AMS media containing various carbonsources. Many of the tested substances supported little to no growth ofPPFM bacteria. Corpe and Basile reported that glycerol and glutamatewere relatively good carbon sources for PPFM bacteria, and thatmethanol, glucose, aspartate, succinate and malate were intermediate ascarbon sources for PPFM bacteria.

The Applicants measured the growth of Methylobacterium extorquens on LBplates, as well as on AMS and VB plates supplemented with various carbonsources. The carbon sources, listed below, were all added to the AMS orVB base salts media at 10 grams per liter. In addition, some mediacompositions were tested that included peptone at 10 grams per liter.The Methylobacterium extorquens was streaked out on the various agarplates, and they were incubated at 30 degrees C. for up to two weeks.Growth was measured as the number of days of incubation required for thecolonies to become full-sized (about 2 millimeters in diameter); forthose growth conditions where full-sized colonies did not form evenafter prolonged incubation, the colonies were scored as medium-sized(about 1 millimeters in diameter) or small-sized (about 0.5 millimetersin diameter or smaller). All of the colonies observed were of a deep,saturated pink color, as is characteristic of PPFM bacteria.

The results were as follows:

VB plus aspartate small-sized in 9 days VB plus succinate small-sized in10 days VB plus malate small-sized in 10 days LB full-sized in 9 daysAMS plus glucose full-sized in 9 days VB plus glucose full-sized in 14days AMS plus methanol full-sized in 6 days VB plus methanolmedium-sized in 10 days AMS plus glutamate and peptone full-sized in 5days AMS plus glycerol and peptone full-sized in 5 days VB plus glyceroland peptone full-sized in 6 days

The fastest and most abundant growth of the PPFM bacteriumMethylobacterium extorquens on the tested solid agar plate media was onAIS plus glycerol and peptone or AMS plus glutamate and peptone,followed closely by AMS plus methanol or VB plus glycerol and peptone.Growth on the other tested media was significantly slower.

Example 2. Growth of PPFM Bacteria in Clear, Monophasic Liquid Media

For those four solid agar plate media found in Example 1 to havesupported the fastest and most abundant growth of the PPFM bacteriumMethylobacterium extorquens, the corresponding liquid versions (that is,no added agar) were prepared and tested. These four liquid media,prepared as described in Example 1 (with the sole exception being thatthey did not contain any agar) were all water-clear liquids, with allingredients in solution.

To flasks containing 100 milliliters of these four liquid media, aninoculum of the PPFM bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens was added togive an initial titer of about 1×10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU) permilliliter. The flasks were placed on a rotary shaker incubator set andgrown for 5 days at 30 degrees C. and 250 rpm. At the end of the 5 daysof incubation, the titers of PPFM bacteria in the flasks weredetermined. The results were:

initial titer titer of PPFM liquid medium of PPFM after 5 days AMS plusglycerol and peptone 1.4 × 10⁵ 4.5 × 10⁵ AMS plus glutamate and peptone2.0 × 10⁵ 3.8 × 10⁵ AMS plus methanol 1.1 × 10⁵ 2.1 × 10⁵ VB plusglycerol and peptone 1.7 × 10⁵ 1.3 × 10⁵

A striking aspect of these results is the very poor growth of the PPFMbacteria in all of these water-clear liquid media, in the presence ofthe exact same nutrients as were present in the solid agar plate formsof these media on which the PPFM bacteria grew rapidly and abundantly(as described in Example 1). Indeed, in all of these flasks, there waslittle or no visible turbidity (the classical indication of microbialgrowth) and no hint of a pink hue whatsoever.

Example 3. Growth of PPFM Bacteria in a Biphasic Culture MediaContaining Insoluble Salt Crystals

For the preparation of the biphasic culture media, liquid AMS plusglycerol and peptone medium was made turbid (i.e. provided with a solidsubstance) by deliberately forming insoluble crystals of magnesiumphosphate and/or calcium phosphate. To deliberately form insolublecrystals in the media, the preparation method described in Example 1 wasaltered as follows. All components except the trace metals stocksolution were mixed together before autoclaving. That is, to 940 ml ofdistilled water were added 20 ml each of stock solutions I, II, and III,along with 10 grams of glycerol and 10 grams of peptone. Afterautoclaving, the medium was completed by the addition of one ml offilter-sterilized trace metals stock solution. The autoclaving of thecomponents of stock solutions I, II, and III, mixed together beforeautoclaving, resulted in the formation of insoluble salt crystals,presumably primarily magnesium phosphate dibasic and/or calciumphosphate dibasic. After autoclaving, the AMS plus glycerol and peptonemedium made by this preparation method yielded a liquid medium that wasvery turbid with these salt crystals. This new liquid medium wasdesignated “turbid AMS plus glycerol and peptone”.

To a flask containing 100 milliliters of the turbid AMS plus glyceroland peptone, an inoculum of the PPFM bacterium Methylobacteriumextorquens was added to give an initial titer of about 1×10⁵colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter. The flask was placed on arotary shaker incubator set and grown for 3 days at 30 degrees C. and250 rpm. After just two days, the flask had developed a deep, saturatedpink turbidity, indicating fast and abundant growth of PPFM bacteria. Atboth 2 days and 3 days after inoculation, the titers of PPFM bacteria inthe flask were determined. The results were:

initial titer titer of PPFM titer of PPFM liquid medium of PPFM after 2days after 3 days turbid AMS plus 1.7 × 10⁵ 1.3 × 10⁸ 1.7 × 10⁹ glyceroland peptone

Two striking aspects of this result were the very fast growth of thePPFM bacteria, and their growth to titers approaching 10,000-fold higherthan achieved in clear AMS plus glycerol and peptone liquid medium (asshown in Example 2).

Example 4. Growth of PPFM Bacteria in Liquid Media Containing Agar

For the preparation of solid agar plate media, agar is typically addedat about 15 grams per liter of medium. To test whether lower amounts ofagar, at levels too low to gel or solidify the medium, would beeffective at promoting the fast and abundant growth of PPFM bacteria,small amounts of agar were added to AMS plus glycerol and peptone liquidmedium.

This liquid medium was prepared as described in Example 1, that is, bythe preparation method designed to prevent the formation of insolublesalt crystals of magnesium phosphate and calcium phosphate. The agar, asdescribed in Example 1, was added to the water before autoclaving. Theamounts of agar tested were, per liter, 750 milligrams, 1.5 grams, and 3grams. These new liquid media were designated “AMS plus glycerol andpeptone and agar”.

To flasks containing 100 milliliters of the AMS plus glycerol andpeptone and agar, an inoculum of the PPFM bacterium Methylobacteriumextorquens was added to give an initial titer of about 1×10⁵colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter. The flasks were placed on arotary shaker incubator set and grown for 3 days at 30 degrees C. and250 rpm. After just two days, the flasks had all developed a deep,saturated pink turbidity, indicating fast and abundant growth of PPFMbacteria. At both 2 days and 3 days after inoculation, the titers ofPPFM bacteria in the flasks were determined. The results were:

initial titer titer of PPFM titer of PPFM liquid medium of PPFM after 2days after 3 days AMS plus glycerol and 1.3 × 10⁵ 6.4 × 10⁷ 8.0 × 10⁷peptone and 750 mg agar AMS plus glycerol and 1.3 × 10⁵ 3.1 × 10⁷ 2.0 ×10⁸ peptone and 1.5 grams agar AMS plus glycerol and 1.2 × 10⁵ 1.8 × 10⁸5.1 × 10⁸ peptone and 3 grams agar

Two striking aspects of this result are the very fast growth of the PPFMbacteria, and their growth to titers approaching 1000-fold higher thanachieved in clear AMS plus glycerol and peptone liquid medium (as shownin Example 2). The data acquired after 3 days of growth also indicatethat increased amounts of growth are correlated to increased amounts ofagar.

Example 5. Growth of PPFM Bacteria in Liquid Media ContainingDiatomaceous Earth

To test whether diatomaceous earth would be effective at promoting thefast and abundant growth of PPFM bacteria, small amounts of diatomaceousearth were added to AMS plus glycerol and peptone liquid medium. Thisliquid medium was prepared as described in Example 1, that is, by thepreparation method designed to prevent the formation of insoluble saltcrystals of magnesium phosphate and calcium phosphate. The diatomaceousearth was added to the water before autoclaving. The amounts ofdiatomaceous tested were, per liter, 500 milligrams, 1 gram, 1.5 grams,and 2 grams. These new liquid media were designated “AMS plus glyceroland peptone and diatomaceous earth”.

To flasks containing 100 milliliters of the AMS plus glycerol andpeptone and diatomaceous earth, an inoculum of the PPFM bacteriumMethylobacterium extorquens was added to give an initial titer of about1×10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter. The flasks were placedon a rotary shaker incubator set and grown for 3 days at 30 degrees C.and 250 rpm. After just two days, the flasks had all developed a deep,saturated pink turbidity, indicating fast and abundant growth of PPFMbacteria. At both 2 days and 3 days after inoculation, the titers ofPPFM bacteria in the flasks were determined. The results were:

initial titer titer of PPFM titer of PPFM liquid medium of PPFM after 2days after 3 days AMS plus glycerol and 1.0 × 10⁵ 1.8 × 10⁸ 1.1 × 10⁹peptone and 500 mg diatomaceous earth AMS plus glycerol and 1.8 × 10⁵3.0 × 10⁸ 8.4 × 10⁸ peptone and 1 gram diatomaceous earth AMS plusglycerol and 1.4 × 10⁵ 4.0 × 10⁸ 1.7 × 10⁹ peptone and 1.5 gramsdiatomaceous earth AMS plus glycerol and 1.7 × 10⁵ 3.4 × 10⁸ 2.0 × 10⁹peptone and 2 grams diatomaceous earth

Two striking aspects of this result are the very fast growth of the PPFMbacteria, and their growth to titers approaching 10,000-fold higher thanachieved in clear AMS plus glycerol and peptone liquid medium (as shownin Example 2). The data acquired after 2 days of growth also indicatethat increased amounts of growth are correlated to increased amounts ofagar within the range of 0.5 grams to 1.5 grams per 100 ml of culture.

Example 6. Growth of PPFM Bacteria in a Controlled Bioreactor

The growth of bacteria in flasks, incubated on a rotary shaker, islimited by changes in pH brought about by the metabolism of the carbonsource(s) in the growth medium. Controlled bioreactors (also known as“fermenters” or “fermentation vessels”) avoid this limitation bymaintaining the pH at the desired level through the controlled additionof acids or bases, as appropriate. Another factor which can limit thegrowth of bacteria is the availability of dissolved oxygen. Controlledbioreactors avoid this limitation by maintaining adequate levels ofdissolved oxygen through the controlled adjustment of airflow into thereactor vessel, the agitation rate of the vessel, and the air pressurewithin the vessel.

When grown in a controlled bioreactor containing the AMS plus glyceroland peptone liquid medium described in Example 1, further supplementedwith solid substances such as insoluble salts, agar, or diatomaceousearth as described in Examples 3, 4 and 5, the final titer of PPFMbacteria achieved will be at least 30-fold higher than that achieved inflasks, specifically at least 3×100 colony-forming units per milliliter.

Example 7. Growth of Various Methylobacterium in the Presence andAbsence of Various Solids in the Media

Various Methylobacterium listed in the following Table were obtainedfrom the indicated depository organizations, purified as single colonyisolates, and cultured in the presence and absence of solids in AMVSplus glycerol plus peptone media. The solids were sterilized byautoclaving in the media.

TABLE 3 Depository Accession No. Methylobacterium species DSM-6343Methylobacterium extorquens DSM-1819 Methylobacterium radiotoleransDSM-13060 Methylobacterium extorquens DSM-18172 Methylobacteriumorganophilum DSM-1708 Methylobacterium mesophilicum DSM-18207Methylobacterium oryzae DSM-19779 Methylobacterium phyllosphaeraeATCC-14718 Methylobacterium extorquens ATCC-14821 Methylobacteriumrhodinum ATCC-21611 Methylobacterium rhodesianum ATCC-35065Methylobacterium fujisawaense ATCC-43883 Methylobacterium zatmaniiATCC-51358 Methylobacterium aminovorans ATCC-700647 Methylobacteriumthiocyanatum ATCC: American Type Tissue Culture Collection, Manassas,VA, USA DSM: DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures(“DSMZ”), Braunschweig, Germany

All of the Methylobacterium in the preceding Table grew very poorly ornot at all in water-clear AIS plus glycerol plus peptone medium, and allgrew very well in the same medium amended (at 2 grams per liter) withone following solids: diatomaceous earth, agar, turbid medium (made soas to be cloudy with insoluble crystals of magnesium phosphate asdescribed in Example 3), bone meal, flax seed meal, “Rare Earth” (amixture of pyrophyllitic silicate clay and leonardite from GeneralHydroponics of Sebastopol, Calif., USA), “White Hermit Crab Sand” (amixture of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate from Zoo-MedLaboratories, Inc., of San Luis Obispo, Calif., USA), dried and powderedcoconut meat, and crushed egg shell.

Example 8. Photomicroscopy of Methylobacterium Grown in the Presence ofa Solid in the Media

Methylobacterium were purified as single colony isolates and cultured inthe presence of diatom shells in liquid growth media. The diatom shellswere sterilized by autoclaving in the liquid media prior to inoculationof the thus sterilized media with Methylobacterium.

The results of the photomicrographic analysis of the cultures are shownin FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, some portions of the latticed diatom shellare exposed while other portions of the diatom shell are obscured by theadherent Methylobacterium cells. FIG. 1 also shows that there are veryfew Methylobacterium cells in this culture that are not adherent. FIG. 2shows a diatom shell that is almost completely coated with adherentMethylobacterium cells and a few apparently non-adherentMethylobacterium cells in the liquid media.

Example 9. Plant Seed or Foliar Treatment Compositions Comprising SolidSubstances with Adherent Methylobacterium

To obtain compositions suitable for plant seed or foliar treatments,Methylobacterium are cultured in liquid media containing a solidsubstance by any of the methods disclosed or claimed herein, or asdescribed in any of the preceding Examples 3-6. Typically, theMethylobacterium are cultured to a high titer (i.e. at least about 5×10⁸colony-forming units per gram of solid). Adherent Methylobacteriumassociated with the solid are then harvested either with or without anynon-adherent Methylobacterium present in the culture. Harvesting can beachieved by filtration, centrifugation, decanting, and combinationsthereof. Harvested material can be applied directly to seeds or plantsin certain instances. In other instances, the harvested material isdried by lyophilization or spray drying and the like prior toapplication. Dried material can also be reconstituted with liquids asnecessary or desired prior to application to plants or seed. In certaincases, the solid materials with the adherent Methylobacterium can bedisassociated as described herein and either applied directly to theseeds or plants or first dried and then applied to seeds or plants.Solid materials with the adherent Methylobacterium can also be firstdried, then disassociated as described herein and applied directly tothe seeds of plants or used as active ingredients in other compositionsfor plant or seed treatment. It is also possible to add additionalagriculturally acceptable excipients and/or adjuvants to any of theharvested and/or dissociated solid materials with adherentMethylobacterium. Added excipients can include woodflours, clays,activated carbon, diatomaceous earth, fine-grain inorganic solids,calcium carbonate and the like. Clays and inorganic solids that can beadded as excipients in the compositions include calcium bentonite,kaolin, china clay, talc, perlite, mica, vermiculite, silicas, quartzpowder, montmorillonite and mixtures thereof. Agriculturally acceptableadjuvants that promote sticking to the seed or other plant parts thatcan be added to the compositions include polyvinyl acetates, polyvinylacetate copolymers, hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetates,polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohols,polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl methylether-maleic anhydride copolymer, waxes, latex polymers, cellulosesincluding ethylcelluloses and methylcelluloses, hydroxymethylcelluloses, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxymethylpropylcelluloses,polyvinyl pyrrolidones, alginates, dextrins, malto-dextrins,polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, karaya gum, jaguar gum,tragacanth gum, polysaccharide gums, mucilage, gum arabics, shellacs,vinylidene chloride polymers and copolymers, soybean-based proteinpolymers and copolymers, lignosulfonates, acrylic copolymers, starches,polyvinylacrylates, zeins, gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan,polyethylene oxide, acrylimide polymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethylacrylate, methylacrylimide monomers, alginate, ethylcellulose,polychloroprene and syrups or mixtures thereof. Other usefulagriculturally acceptable adjuvants that can promote coating of seeds orother plant parts include polymers and copolymers of vinyl acetate,polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer and water-soluble waxes.These compositions can be maintained in a dry or semi dry form or can beformulated into slurries by addition of liquids as desired. Thecompositions can then be used to spray or coat the plants or seeds toobtain beneficial effects associated with application ofMethylobacterium to plants.

Example 10. Titers of Various Methylobacterium in the Presence andAbsence of Various Solids in the Media

Fourteen strains in the genus Methylobacterium were purchased from theDSMZ (Braunschweig, Germany) and the ATCC (Manassas, Va., USA). These 14strains consist of 12 different species, as there were three M.extorquens in the set:

-   1. DSM-6343 Methylobacterium extorquens-   2. DSM-1819 Methylobacterium radiotolerans-   3. DSM-13060 Methylobacterium extorquens-   4. DSM-18172 Methylobacterium organophilum-   5. DSM-1708 Methylobacterium mesophilicum-   6. DSM-18207 Methylobacterium oryzae-   7. DSM-19779 Methylobacterium phyllosphaerae-   8. ATCC-14718 Methylobacterium extorquens-   9. ATCC-14821 Methylobacterium rhodinum-   10. ATCC-21611 Methylobacterium rhodesianum-   11. ATCC-35065 Methylobacterium fujisawaense-   12. ATCC-43883 Methylobacterium zatmanii-   13. ATCC-51358 Methylobacterium aminovorans-   14. ATCC-700647 Methylobacterium thiocyanatum

For the tests below, the inocula came from cultures grown in water-clearAMS-GP medium. These cultures were grown in 200 ml of the water-clearAMS-GP medium, titered, and then concentrated ten-fold. These PPFMcultures, with no solid substrates present, were used to inoculate testtubes containing 10 ml of water-clear AMS-GP medium, or AMS-GP mediumwith various added solid substrates. 20 mg of the various solidsubstrates were added to each 10 ml tube, yielding a solid substrateconcentration equivalent to 2 grams per liter. Titers are expressedthroughout as Colony Forming Units per milliliter (CFU/mL). The targetinitial titer in each tube was about 1×10⁵ PPFM colony forming units perml. The inoculated test tubes were placed on a rotary shaker set andgrown for three days at 30 degrees C. and 250 rpm. After three days ofgrowth, the PPFM cultures were titered.

Growth of PPFM strains in water-clear AMS-GP liquid medium initial titertiter after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 3.5 × 10⁵ 1.2 × 10⁶ DSM-1819M. radiotolerans 1.8 × 10⁵ 1.3 × 10⁶ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 3.1 × 10⁵3.2 × 10⁵ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 1.4 × 10⁵ 1.8 × 10⁵ DSM-1708 M.mesophilicum 3.3 × 10⁵ 1.0 × 10⁵ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 1.1 × 10⁵ 2.2 × 10⁶DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 2.1 × 10⁵ 1.1 × 10⁶ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens2.0 × 10⁵ 1.7 × 10⁵ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 4.4 × 10⁵ 2.9 × 10⁵ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 1.8 × 10⁵ 1.4 × 10⁵ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense1.3 × 10⁵ 1.9 × 10⁶ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 5.0 × 10⁵ 1.9 × 10⁵ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 9.5 × 10⁴ 1.7 × 10⁵ ATCC-700647 M.thiocyanatum 1.8 × 10⁵ 7.6 × 10⁴

Growth of PPFM strains in turbid AMS-GP liquid medium initial titertiter after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 2.5 × 10⁵ 2.1 × 10⁹ DSM-1819M. radiotolerans 7.6 × 10⁴ 6.8 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 1.9 × 10⁵4.4 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 1.1 × 10⁵ 1.9 × 10⁹ DSM-1708 M.mesophilicum 1.4 × 10⁵ 9.3 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 7.3 × 10⁴ 2.4 × 10⁸DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 1.8 × 10⁵ 7.5 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens9.3 × 10⁴ 2.0 × 10⁹ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 7.1 × 10⁴ 7.2 × 10⁸ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 3.9 × 10⁵ 6.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense8.2 × 10⁴ 2.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 1.8 × 10⁵ 6.2 × 10⁸ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 6.8 × 10⁴ 1.7 × 10⁹ ATCC-700647 M.thiocyanatum 4.3 × 10⁵ 6.5 × 10⁸

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus diatomaceous earth(at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M.extorquens 2.1 × 10⁵ 8.7 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 1.1 × 10⁵ 3.3 ×10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 6.8 × 10⁴ 8.4 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M.organophilum 3.1 × 10⁵ 8.1 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 1.4 × 10⁵ 2.4× 10⁹ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 2.1 × 10⁵ 3.1 × 10⁹ DSM-19779 M.phyllosphaerae 9.6 × 10⁴ 3.6 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 1.8 × 10⁵4.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 8.0 × 10⁴ 5.9 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M.rhodesianum 3.5 × 10⁵ 7.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 1.5 × 10⁵ 9.2× 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 6.5 × 10⁴ 9.6 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M.aminovorans 3.0 × 10⁵ 2.7 × 10⁹ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 1.4 × 10⁵2.3 × 10⁹

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus agar (at 2 grams perliter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 1.5 × 10⁵1.6 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 1.3 × 10⁵ 3.7 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M.extorquens 9.2 × 10⁴ 1.7 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 8.1 × 10⁴ 9.3 ×10⁷ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 5.2 × 10⁵ 2.8 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 1.9× 10⁵ 5.0 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 1.0 × 10⁵ 5.3 × 10⁸ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 2.4 × 10⁵ 4.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 1.5× 10⁵ 5.1 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 8.1 × 10⁴ 4.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065M. fujisawaense 1.0 × 10⁵ 4.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 1.3 × 10⁵ 5.6× 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 4.5 × 10⁵ 6.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M.thiocyanatum 3.6 × 10⁵ 1.7 × 10⁸

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus powdered kelp (at 2grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens3.8 × 10⁵ 4.3 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 9.1 × 10⁴ 4.1 × 10⁸DSM-13060 M. extorquens 4.0 × 10⁵ 9.7 × 10⁷ DSM-18172 M. organophilum2.2 × 10⁵ 2.8 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 1.2 × 10⁵ 1.0 × 10⁸DSM-18207 M. oryzae 9.4 × 10⁴ 6.4 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 7.7× 10⁴ 3.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 3.0 × 10⁵ 4.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821M. rhodinum 8.4 × 10⁴ 1.6 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 9.7 × 10⁴ 4.1× 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 8.2 × 10⁴ 3.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M.zatmanii 9.7 × 10⁴ 4.0 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 2.6 × 10⁵ 6.3 ×10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 3.5 × 10⁵ 5.2 × 10⁸

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus coconut husk fiber(at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M.extorquens 2.0 × 10⁵ 3.4 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 2.1 × 10⁵ 6.0 ×10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 8.9 × 10⁴ 2.5 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M.organophilum 8.5 × 10⁴ 7.5 × 10⁷ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 6.0 × 10⁴ 6.0× 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 1.9 × 10⁵ 3.2 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M.phyllosphaerae 9.6 × 10⁴ 1.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 2.8 × 10⁵9.7 × 10⁷ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 3.5 × 10⁵ 8.9 × 10⁷ ATCC-21611 M.rhodesianum 7.4 × 10⁴ 8.2 × 10⁷ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 6.1 × 10⁴ 7.0× 10⁷ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 8.0 × 10⁴ 5.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M.aminovorans 3.3 × 10⁵ 2.5 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 3.3 × 10⁵7.3 × 10⁷

The coconut husk fiber was a product called “Hermit Soil”, with the soleingredient listed as “coconut fiber substrate” and sold by Zoo-MedLaboratories, Inc., of San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus cottonseed meal (at2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M.extorquens 1.0 × 10⁵ 4.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 1.3 × 10⁵ 5.5 ×10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 8.9 × 10⁴ 4.7 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M.organophilum 2.0 × 10⁵ 8.8 × 10⁷ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 7.9 × 10⁴ 5.8× 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 1.0 × 10⁵ 2.8 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M.phyllosphaerae 4.1 × 10⁵ 9.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 9.5 × 10⁴7.9 × 10⁷ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 5.4 × 10⁵ 5.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M.rhodesianum 5.1 × 10⁵ 2.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 8.1 × 10⁴ 5.9× 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 7.6 × 10⁴ 3.9 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M.aminovorans 2.7 × 10⁵ 8.3 × 10⁷ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 4.6 × 10⁵4.4 × 10⁸

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus bone meal (at 2grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens9.6 × 10⁴ 1.4 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 4.7 × 10⁵ 5.0 × 10⁸DSM-13060 M. extorquens 8.5 × 10⁴ 4.7 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum5.9 × 10⁴ 3.9 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 8.2 × 10⁴ 2.6 × 10⁸DSM-18207 M. oryzae 3.6 × 10⁵ 4.5 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 5.4× 10⁴ 8.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 1.5 × 10⁵ 9.1 × 10⁷ ATCC-14821M. rhodinum 9.9 × 10⁴ 7.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 1.6 × 10⁵ 8.1× 10⁷ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 6.9 × 10⁴ 2.0 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M.zatmanii 5.7 × 10⁴ 6.9 × 10⁷ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 9.9 × 10⁴ 4.3 ×10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 1.9 × 10⁵ 1.5 × 10⁸

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus blood meal (at 2grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens7.7 × 10⁴ 7.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 7.9 × 10⁴ 8.8 × 10⁷DSM-13060 M. extorquens 4.4 × 10⁵ 6.7 × 10⁷ DSM-18172 M. organophilum3.1 × 10⁵ 8.4 × 10⁷ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 1.0 × 10⁵ 4.0 × 10⁸DSM-18207 M. oryzae 3.9 × 10⁵ 5.0 × 10⁷ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 2.5× 10⁵ 8.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 9.5 × 10⁴ 9.5 × 10⁷ ATCC-14821M. rhodinum 6.8 × 10⁴ 8.6 × 10⁷ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 7.4 × 10⁴ 4.9× 10⁷ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 2.6 × 10⁵ 2.0 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M.zatmanii 3.2 × 10⁵ 4.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 7.0 × 10⁴ 1.8 ×10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 3.2 × 10⁵ 5.5 × 10⁷

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus sand (at 2 grams perliter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 1.8 × 10⁵3.2 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 1.4 × 10⁵ 1.9 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M.extorquens 1.1 × 10⁵ 6.0 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 2.8 × 10⁵ 4.8 ×10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 7.8 × 10⁴ 1.6 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 5.2× 10⁵ 3.2 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 2.5 × 10⁵ 9.7 × 10⁷ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 9.7 × 10⁴ 4.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 2.7× 10⁵ 9.2 × 10⁷ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 9.7 × 10⁴ 6.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065M. fujisawaense 5.7 × 10⁴ 9.1 × 10⁷ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 8.2 × 10⁴ 3.9× 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 8.8 × 10⁴ 1.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M.thiocyanatum 9.8 × 10⁴ 6.7 × 10⁸

The sand was a product called “White Hermit Crab Sand”, with theingredients listed as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, andsold by Zoo-Med Laboratories, Inc., of San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus a silica-micaceousclay (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M.extorquens 9.8 × 10⁴ 9.4 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 2.4 × 10⁵ 1.2 ×10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 5.4 × 10⁵ 2.8 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M.organophilum 2.3 × 10⁵ 6.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 8.3 × 10⁴ 5.5× 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 9.7 × 10⁴ 3.2 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M.phyllosphaerae 6.6 × 10⁴ 9.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 1.2 × 10⁵5.5 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodium 4.8 × 10⁵ 6.5 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M.rhodesiamun 2.0 × 10⁵ 5.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 6.2 × 10⁴ 1.0× 10⁹ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 3.1 × 10⁵ 9.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-51358 M.aminovorans 4.3 × 10⁵ 3.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 7.6 × 10⁴8.0 × 10⁸

The micaceous clay was a product called “Profile”, with the ingredientslisted as a blend of silica and illite. Illite is a micaceous clay.Profile is sold by Profile Products, LLC, of Buffalo Grove, Ill.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus asilicate-mineraloid clay (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titerafter 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 3.5 × 10⁴ 4.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M.radiotolerans 2.5 × 10⁵ 5.0 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 5.2 × 10⁴ 8.1× 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 4.3 × 10⁵ 5.6 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M.mesophilicum 1.0 × 10⁵ 2.0 × 10⁹ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 2.2 × 10⁵ 8.2 × 10⁸DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 3.6 × 10⁵ 6.6 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens2.4 × 10⁵ 4.1 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 3.4 × 10⁵ 1.3 × 10⁹ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 3.8 × 10⁵ 7.0 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense5.5 × 10⁴ 5.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 6.9 × 10⁴ 3.0 × 10⁸ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 7.8 × 10⁴ 1.9 × 10⁹ ATCC-700647 M.thiocyanatum 4.2 × 10⁵ 4.8 × 10⁸

The mineraloid clay was a product called “Rare Earth”, with theingredients listed as a blend of a pyrophyllitic silicate clay andleonardite. Leonardite is a mineraloid composed of oxidized lignite; itis high in humic acid. Rare Earth is sold by General Hydroponics ofSebastopol, Calif.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus an aluminumphyllosilicate clay (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 3.5 × 10⁵ 8.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M.radiotolerans 2.5 × 10⁵ 6.1 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 5.2 × 10⁵ 5.5× 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 4.3 × 10⁵ 8.2 × 10⁷ DSM-1708 M.mesophilicum 1.0 × 10⁵ 1.3 × 10⁹ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 2.2 × 10⁵ 9.6 × 10⁸DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 3.6 × 10⁵ 2.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens3.0 × 10⁵ 7.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 3.4 × 10⁵ 6.5 × 10⁸ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 2.4 × 10⁵ 2.8 × 10⁹ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense9.9 × 10⁴ 2.2 × 10⁹ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 2.3 × 10⁵ 7.2 × 10⁸ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 3.8 × 10⁵ 6.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M.thiocyanatum 8.1 × 10⁴ 8.8 × 10⁸

The aluminum phyllosilicate clay was a product called “Bentonite”, withthe ingredient listed an aluminum phyllosilicate clay. Bentonite is soldby L. D. Carlson Co. of Kent, Ohio.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus crushed egg shell(at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M.extorquens 2.8 × 10⁵ 2.9 × 10⁹ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 2.1 × 10⁵ 7.4 ×10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 3.3 × 10⁵ 6.4 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M.organophilum 4.5 × 10⁵ 8.7 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 4.3 × 10⁵ 2.5× 10⁹ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 2.3 × 10⁵ 9.3 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M.phyllosphaerae 3.1 × 10⁵ 1.7 × 10⁹ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 2.4 × 10⁵3.3 × 10⁹ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 4.2 × 10⁵ 7.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M.rhodesianum 8.4 × 10⁴ 5.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 1.1 × 10⁵ 2.8× 10⁹ ATCC-43883 M. zattmanii 3.2 × 10⁵ 6.9 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M.aminovorans 2.8 × 10⁵ 6.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 8.9 × 10⁴9.2 × 10⁸

The crushed shell was obtained from chicken egg shells.

Four other solid substrates were tested with two PPFM strains. While allfour of these solid substrates enabled the two PPFM strains to grow tohigher titers than in water-clear AMS-GP medium, the growth wasrelatively light compared to the other solid substrates tested above.The ground wheat and ground barley were very coarse, which could havecontributed to this relatively light growth due to the relatively lowsurface area of a coarsely ground solid substrate.

Because of this relatively light growth, these four solid substrateswere not tested with the other PPFM strains.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus flax seed meal (at 2grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens3.4 × 10⁵ 6.4 × 10⁶ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 9.9 × 10⁴ 1.2 × 10⁷

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus ground wheat (at 2grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. exlorquens2.1 × 10⁵ 9.7 × 10⁶ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 4.3 × 10⁵ 3.3 × 10⁷

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus ground barley (at 2grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens2.2 × 10⁵ 3.4 × 10⁷ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 9.2 × 10⁴ 1.4 × 10⁷

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus dried shrimp (at 2grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens3.0 × 10⁵ 7.5 × 10⁶ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 7.1 × 10⁴ 3.7 × 10⁷

The dried shrimp were powdered brine shrimp, sold by OmegaSea Ltd, ofSitka, Ak.

Example 11. Utilization of PPFM Bacteria to Promote Plant Growth andEarly Development

The establishment of a vigorous and uniform stand of corn plants earlyin the growing season is essential to a high yielding crop, and ismainly dependent on the development of a vigorous nodal root system. Thefirst roots that emerge from a corn seed (the radicle and seminal roots)function mainly in the uptake of water from the soil. The radicleseminal roots do not provide other nourishment, which early in thegrowth of the seedling is provided by energy and nutrient reserves inthe kernel. When nodal roots emerge from the corn stem, growth of theseminal roots slows dramatically and they contribute little to theseason-long maintenance of the corn plant. Instead, the nodal rootsystem plays this role. Thus, the early and vigorous establishment of anodal root system plays a key role in the development of a uniform standof corn. Failure to do so results in stunted plants and otherdeficiencies that end in lower yields at harvest.

Cultures of PPFM bacteria produced by the method of Example 3 (i.e. bygrowing the PPFM bacteria in liquid media containing insoluble saltcrystals) were used to treat corn seeds. To 72 corn seeds, 20milliliters of the PPFM culture were added, in a container such that thecorn seeds were completely immersed in the PPFM culture. As a control,an equal number of corn seeds were immersed in the PPFM-free culturemedium of Example 3. The corn seeds were soaked in these solutions for 4hours, at room temperature (about 22 degrees C.), with gentle agitation.At the end of this soaking period, the seeds were planted in pottingsoil and allowed to germinate and grow for 8 days. At that time, thecorn seedlings were dug up, rinsed to remove the soil, and the nodalroots counted and measured. The results are shown below.

control PPFM treated number of nodal roots 2.56 2.88 13% more per plant,in milligrams average length of nodal roots 2.33 3.44 48% longer perplant in centimeters

These results indicate that contacting corn seeds with the high-titerPPFM culture provided by the instant invention results in the earlieremergence and more rapid growth of nodal roots.

Example 12. Growth of Methylobacterium in Liquid Media withNon-Particulate Solid Substances

Ten distinct Methylobacterium (PPFM) strains were grown in 200 ml of thewater-clear AMS-GP medium, titered, and then concentrated ten-fold.These PPFM cultures, with no solid substances present, were used toinoculate test tubes containing 10 ml of water-clear AMS-GP medium withvarious added non-particulate solid substances. For the non-particulatesolids, 20 mg of the various non-particulate solid substances were addedto each 10 ml tube, yielding a non-particulate solid substrateconcentration equivalent to 2 grams per liter. The target initial titerin each tube was about 1×10⁵ PPFM cells per ml. The inoculated testtubes were placed on a rotary shaker set and grown for three days at 30degrees C. and 250 rpm.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus tufts of cotton (at2 grams per liter) titer after 3 days initial titer (CFU/mL) DSM-6343 M.exlorquens 6.6 × 10⁴ 3.7 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 2.4 × 10⁵ 1.2 ×10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 1.7 × 10⁵ 5.7 × 10⁷ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 1.6× 10⁵ 9.4 × 10⁷ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 8.3 × 10⁴ 4.7 × 10⁸ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 7.0 × 10⁴ 8.1 × 10⁷ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum3.5 × 10⁵ 6.5 × 10⁷ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 3.3 × 10⁵ 2.5 × 10⁸ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 4.2 × 10⁵ 7.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-700647 M.thiocyanatum 2.1 × 10⁵ 7.4 × 10⁷

After three days of growth, the cotton tufts were a dark brilliant pinkin color, being coated with adhered PPFM cells (FIG. 3A). These adheredPPFM were removed by vigorous vortexing, and the resulting suspensionsof PPFM cells were titered. The titers of PPFM cells attained werehigher than those attained by growing the PPFM in clear AMS-GP liquidmedium (see representative results of Example 10 where PPFM grown for 3days in water clear AMS-GP media did not exceed 10⁶ colony forming unitsper ml). A photomicrograph showing PPFM strain ATCC-35065 M.fujisawaense adhered to cotton fibers is provided in FIG. 4.

a. Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus tufts of glasswool (at 2 grams per liter) titer after 3 days initial titer (CFU/mL)DSM-6343 M. extorquens 3.4 × 10⁵ 2.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiololerans 1.9× 10⁵ 2.3 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 8.0 × 10⁴ 5.6 × 10⁷ DSM-18207 M.oryzae 9.4 × 10⁴ 1.8 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 3.8 × 10⁵ 6.5 ×10⁷ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 7.4 × 10⁴ 3.9 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M.rhodesianum 3.2 × 10⁵ 8.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 6.8 × 10⁴ 1.0× 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 1.1 × 10⁵ 6.5 × 10⁷ ATCC-700647 M.thiocyanatum 1.7 × 10⁵ 3.0 × 10⁸

After three days of growth, the glass wool tufts were brilliant pink incolor, being coated with adhered PPFM cells (FIG. 3B). These adheredPPFM were removed by vigorous vortexing, and the resulting suspensionsof PPFM cells were titered. The titers of PPFM cells attained werehigher than those attained by growing the PPFM in clear AMS-GP liquidmedium (see representative results of Example 2). The titers of PPFMcells attained were higher than those attained by growing the PPFM inclear AMS-GP liquid medium (see representative results of Example 10where PPFM grown for 3 days in water clear AMS-GP media did not exceed10⁶ colony forming units per ml).

b. Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus tufts ofsynthetic sponge (at 2 grams per liter) titer after 3 days initial titer(CFU/mL) DSM-6343 M. extorquens 8.6 × 10⁴ 8.4 × 10⁷ DSM-1819 M.radiotolerans 4.0 × 10⁵ 4.4 × 10⁷ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 8.4 × 10⁴ 2.9× 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 9.2 × 10⁴ 3.4 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M.phyllosphaerae 9.0 × 10⁴ 5.7 × 10⁷ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 7.5 × 10⁴3.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 8.5 × 10⁴ 1.6 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M.fujisawaense 3.4 × 10⁵ 7.5 × 10⁷ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 7.8 × 10⁴ 7.8× 10⁷ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 2.4 × 10⁵ 9.5 × 10⁷

The synthetic sponge used was “Body Scrub”, manufactured by CompacIndustries, Inc. of Decatur, Ga. The synthetic sponge is made of apolyester polymeric material.

After three days of growth, the synthetic sponge tufts were brilliantpink in color, being coated with adhered PPFM cells (FIG. 3C). Theseadhered PPFM were removed by vigorous vortexing, and the resultingsuspensions of PPFM cells were titered. The titers of PPFM cellsattained were higher than those attained by growing the PPFM in clearAMS-GP liquid medium (see representative results of Example 10 wherePPFM grown for 3 days in water clear AMS-GP media did not exceed 106colony forming units per ml).

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Having illustrated and described the principles of the presentinvention, it should be apparent to persons skilled in the art that theinvention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departingfrom such principles.

Although the materials and methods of this invention have been describedin terms of various embodiments and illustrative examples, it will beapparent to those of skill in the art that variations can be applied tothe materials and methods described herein without departing from theconcept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutesand modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to bewithin the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is: 1.-115. (canceled)
 116. A method for obtaining aMethylobacterium preparation comprising: (i) preparing a culture mediumcomprising a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium, whereinsaid medium comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, wherein theliquid and solid phase are provided as sterile components, wherein thesolid phase comprises a plurality of particles which are suspended inthe liquid phase, and wherein the solid phase does not comprise viablephotosynthetic microorganisms; (ii) growing said Methylobacterium froman initial titer in said culture medium, wherein said culture medium isessentially free of contaminating microorganisms, wherein said particlesprovide for a decrease in doubling time of said Methylobacterium grownin said culture medium relative to the doubling time of theMethylobacterium grown in liquid media alone, and wherein theMethylobacterium titer in said culture medium is increased at leastten-fold relative to the initial titer of the Methylobacterium in theculture medium; (iii) producing a fermentation broth with aMethylobacterium titer of at least 5×10⁸ colony-forming units permilliliter; and (iv) harvesting the Methylobacterium from saidfermentation broth, thereby obtaining the Methylobacterium preparation.117. The method of claim 116, wherein said method comprises the furtherstep of drying the harvested Methylobacterium.
 118. The method of claim117, wherein drying is effected by spray drying, lyophilization,desiccation, heating, and combinations thereof.
 119. The method of claim116, wherein the titer of said Methylobacterium strain is increased atleast 100-fold relative to the initial titer of the Methylobacterium inthe culture medium.
 120. The method of claim 116, wherein the particlesare about 2 microns to about 1000 microns in average length or averagediameter.
 121. The method of claim 116, wherein said solid phasecomprises about 0.02% to about 20% of said media by mass.
 122. Themethod of claim 116, wherein said solid phase comprises about 0.02% toabout 0.5% of said media by mass.
 123. The method of claim 116, whereinat least 99.9% of the microorganisms present in the fermentation brothare Methylobacterium.
 124. The method of claim 116, wherein said solidphase provides for adherent growth of said Methylobacterium and/orwherein said solid phase does not serve as a carbon source for saidMethylobacterium.
 125. The method of claim 116, wherein said solid phasecomprises a solid substance selected from the group consisting of apolysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinationsthereof.
 126. The method of claim 125, wherein said solid phasecomprises salt crystals formed during preparation of the culture medium.127. The method of claim 125, wherein said polysaccharide is selectedfrom the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinouspolysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide.
 128. The method of claim116, wherein said Methylobacterium is selected from the group consistingof M. aminovorans, M. chloromethanicum, M. dichloromethanicum, M.extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. organophilum, M.radiotolerans, M rhodesianum, M. rhodinum, M. thiocyanatum, M. nodulans,M. cerastii, M. gossipiicola, Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378, M.phyllosphaerae, M. oryzae, M. platani, M. populi, and M. zatmanii.